The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory: Why an Invented Past Won't Give Women a Future [Paperback]

Cynthia Eller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 2001

According to the myth of matriarchal prehistory, men and women lived together peacefully before recorded history. Society was centered around women, with their mysterious life-giving powers, and they were honored as incarnations and priestesses of the Great Goddess. Then a transformation occurred, and men thereafter dominated society.

Given the universality of patriarchy in recorded history, this vision is understandably appealing for many women. But does it have any basis in fact? And as a myth, does it work for the good of women? Cynthia Eller traces the emergence of the feminist matriarchal myth, explicates its functions, and examines the evidence for and against a matriarchal prehistory. Finally, she explains why this vision of peaceful, woman-centered prehistory is something feminists should be wary of.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For decades, Gloria Steinem, Riane Eisler, Marija Gimbutas and other feminist authors have painted a picture of a golden age before the onset of patriarchy, a time when women ruled the earth, and all the world worshipped the Goddess. This bold and provocative book marshals archeological evidence to demonstrate that this gynocentric vision is a myth, and a pernicious one at that. Eller acknowledges that some women find the myth of matriarchal prehistory empowering but insists that it ultimately undermines genuine reform. A myth, she points out, is a weak foundation for a social movement. More to the point, gynocentric myths, she says, perpetuate the same stereotypical notions of femininity that have always served as tools of sexist oppression. Celebrating the positive virtues of motherhood, relationality, embodiedness and ecocentrism as universal feminine traits obscures genuine differences among women and limits female autonomy; as the saying goes, a pedestal is as confining as any small place. Eller's previous book, Living in the Lap of the Goddess: The Feminist Spirituality Movement in America, sympathetically described women's spiritual quests for self-validation and empowerment. Her new work affirms these goals while cautioning feminists against letting their fantasies about a past matriarchy distract them from taking real steps to end patriarchy today. Passionately argued, engagingly written, this vital book is certain to inspire wide--and much-needed--debate. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

According to the myth of matriarchal prehistory, there was a time in social development before written records when women were the central controlling forces in community life. Goddesses were the primary objects of worship, and peace reigned between the sexes. In a systematic analysis of the underpinnings of this popular theory, independent scholar Eller (Living in the Lap of the Goddess), who is affiliated with Princeton University, applies both logic and common sense to what has become a highly emotional argument for some feminists and New Age partisans. Pointing out that much of the physical evidence upon which the hypothesis rests is open to various interpretations, she warns that adherents of the myth may be seeing what they want to see: that by relying on biological distinctions they are creating stereotypes as insidious as the patriarchal ones they abhor. While immersion in this myth may raise gender self-esteem, only hard work will change the reality-based biases of modern life. This well-structured, lucid argument is recommended for academic libraries and public libraries where interest in the subject is high.
-Rose Cichy, Osterhout Free Lib., Wilkes-Barre, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (April 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807067938
• ISBN-13: 978-0807067932
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Generally Misunderstood, August 24, 2005

By 

E. M. Hodge "Cuindless" (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory: Why an Invented Past Won't Give Women a Future (Paperback)

It seems that there has been a lot of recent confusion about Dr. Eller's books, "The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory" in both its stated objective as well as its scientific accomplishment. This short review is an attempt to rectify and refute any such questions posed by reviewers who didn't seem to understand the aims of this work.

Firstly, it must be understood that Dr. Eller was not out to prove that prehistory was in any way universally patriarchal. Dr. Eller is certainly aware of the many matriarchal, matrilineal and matrifocal prehistorical societies. Rather, this book is an attempt to disprove the "Universal Matriarchy" theory presented by many authors who lack that scholastic ability and scientific methodology to prove or disprove the theory. As such, Dr. Eller doesn't need to address the myriad of "matri" prefixed societies in prehistory, all she needs to do is present a few very well-researched patriarchal societies.

Secondly, Dr. Eller's work is centered around providing solid footing for feminism in the modern context. She seems to believe, and rightly to my thinking, that so long as the majority of spiritual feminist authors rely on unsound claims of a universal matriarchy that they cannot be taken seriously by either the scholastic community or the public at large. By grounding the modern feminist movement in strict scientific methodology, she is attempting to provide a secure footing for further scholarship into the realm of women's studies.

Third and lastly, there also seem to be a lot of attacks, both personal and professional, against Dr. Eller and her work. These often come from the same people who then critique the acidic or condescending tone of her writing style. While objections to her writing style are, of course, the prerogative of the reviewer, accusing Dr. Eller of being mean then attacking her personally and professionally seems hypocritical at best. Though I also found her tone sarcastic, and at times off-putting, this didn't devalue the information presented.

In praise to Dr. Eller's book, many of the reviews already present do great justice. The methodology is sound, the information provocative and the conclusions she comes to are startling. I for one have fond hopes that this book will make great leaps in overcoming the stigma present around scholarly and spiritual feminism both.

70 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, scholarly, challenging, iconoclastic., August 5, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory: Why An Invented Past Will Not Give Women a Future (Hardcover)

The Myth Of Matriarchal Prehistory: Why An Invented Past Won't Give Women A Future examines the evidence for and against the hypothesis of a paleolithic/neolithic matriarchal dominance in human society. Exceptional scholarship combined with articulate writing presents up-to-date archaeologically based commentary scrutinizing the scientific plausibility of matriarch and reveals it to be non-supportive of such a culture. Author and researcher Cynthia Eller goes on to explain why and how the concept of a matriarchal society took root in feminist thought. Eller concludes that the pervasive myth of a prehistorical matriarchy is a continuance of gendered stereotyping. Informative, scholarly, challenging, and iconoclastic, The Myth Of Matriarchal Prehistory is a highly recommended contribution to the fields of cultural anthropology, sociology, and women's studies.

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent book to get you asking more questions, December 4, 2003

By 

Kaulika - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory: Why an Invented Past Won't Give Women a Future (Paperback)

Despite what other reviewers have said about her writing being "rubbish" or otherwise unworthy, Cynthia Eller has done a wonderful job with this book. A skeptic from the beginning of all forms of revisionist history, I found this book to be refreshing, even if I didn't agree with it 100% of the time (but what book do you agree with 100% of the time, particularly if you're a religious scholar?).

Far from saying that feminist mythology is somehow imbued with scurrilous intent, she asserts, as many religious scholars have before her, that mythology need not be true. But she doesn't discount its power or relevance. Rather, she makes us question the fervent approach to a mandate of myth as fact in the feminist community, and does so with aplomb.

I enjoyed reading this book as much for the content as for the questions it raised. I highly recommend this book to anyone familiar or unfamiliar with the debate over pre-history, and to every woman involved in goddess spirituality. It's good to have balance and rational thought mixed in with faith, and this book aids in finding that balance.