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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Who are the Oldest Europeans?, May 26, 2006
J. F. del Giorgio's The Oldest Europeans opening chapter cites the well-known French comic strip, Asterix, wherein we are reminded as to how the Romans were unable to defeat a rebellious, ever-quarreling, and wild people. Apparently, these individuals lived by the sea; however, their exact location is never disclosed in the comic strip.
According to J. F. del Giorgio, what is remarkable about this tale is that there were similar inhabitants living in the French territory during Roman times. These were extraordinary individuals who, according to history, were excellent sailors and probably the first to circumnavigate the world. Furthermore, they were survivors of a much older European population and they occupied Europe thousands of years before the Latins arrived on the scene- even before the Aryan, Indo-European tribe came to the continent.
Moreover, they still exist among us and to a large extent many keep their age-old customs, speak their ancient tongue, where some of their words have been considered to come directly from the Stone Age. Major religions have been influenced by them and their ancient myths are still celebrated in the arts. Their influence has been felt in the fields of art, religion, philosophy, science, architecture, jewelry, folklore, customs, traditions, legends, institutions and family. In fact, they were even written about in the Iliad, the Odyssey and the Aeneid. And if their men were impressive, their women were no less remarkable. In many aspects they outshone the men of their times.
I guess by now you are wondering, who are these people? From J. F. del Giorgio's The Oldest Europeans we learn that it is widely accepted that the oldest Europeans are the ancient Basques, who call themselves Euskaldunak, their country Euskalherria and their language Euskera. Some Basque thinkers use the term Euzko to name their people and those who are related to them or have the same origin from their DNA and cultural ties, such as the Etruscans, Scots, Scandinavians, Celts, Irish, Welsh, Gauls, Thracians, and Pelasgians
The Oldest Europeans contains a wealth of information packed into a 246 pages. It is a journey through prehistoric Europe that has as one of its principal contentions that the invasion of people from the East in Neolithic times coincided with the gradual decrease in women's rights in European cultures. These women's rights were very much in evidence among the oldest Europeans and as pointed out, they were not gained from their male counterparts, but rather inherited. One of the foremost essentials of Euzko societies was that they demonstrated profound matriarchal influences or as J. F. del Giorgio maintains, "they were matrilineal (i.e. tracing ascent through maternal lines. Occidental societies tend to do the opposite), and they were matrilocal and matrifocal societies." Furthermore, it was this respect for women's rights that fostered the growth of children in an equalitarian environment. It should be noted, as mentioned in the book, that among the Euzkos, the power was transferred from a queen to a princess and not from a king to a prince. A king only gained his power from being married to the Queen of the realm.
It would be an understatement to say that reading this well-documented study about witchcraft, old religions, women's rights, our own stone roots, ancient European names, language, Greek mythology and history, ancient traditions such as the carnival, Easter, Christmas, hallucinogens, religious rituals, river names, and many more topics is fascinating!
However, when readers try to plough through a book that contains all of this and more, the outing may be a bit rough with its abundance of detail, particularly where the organization is cumbersome and the author tends to wander from time to time.
Unfortunately, this is one of the shortcomings of The Oldest Europeans, nonetheless, the book still merits a read, even if you have to re-read it two or three times, chew on it and digest it before understanding its full impact-it is still well worth the time and effort, as the author provides priceless insights into European ancestry.
Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting history of women and European culture, May 27, 2006
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (5/06)
Author J. F. del Giorgio has written a fascinating book that addresses the origins of the European culture. In great depth, he discusses how women had strong roles early on. Women inherited, men took on their mother's names and kings were chosen by whom the daughter of the king married, not the son.
The Basques were a female structured society. Del Giorgio
discusses the genetic and cultural ties between Basques, Irish, Scots, Welsh, Celts, Scandinavians, Etruscans, and Pelasgians. Gene mapping shows how the Basques have spread out into other cultures.
An understanding of word and name origins shows how ancient cultures influenced and infiltrated others. As the Indo-European culture invaded Europe, women actually began losing their status. During the time that women had great power in the European culture, in other parts of the world they had diminished status and in many cases still do today.
A shocking example of this is demonstrated in India today. In some
areas, when a man dies his widow is burned to death because she is seen as having no value without him.
The book also covers an interesting discussion about how pagans and how some of their cultural traditions were carried over into Christian ones. The pagan Candlemas became the Christian Christmas. Del Giorgio
believes that in some cultures sacrifice and cannibalism still are practiced today. Hallucinogens continue to be used in ritual. Mushrooms are usually used. Today, there is a village in India where women are induced into hallucinogenic states by being bitten
by cobras. Some die from this.
I found this book to be very interesting and informative. It is obvious that a great deal of research went into writing it. It is impossible to discuss everything that is covered in it because there
is so much. After reading "The Oldest Europeans," it is good to keep as a reference book to refer back to.
I recommend this book to people that are interested in their European ancestry, women's issues or students of ancient history. You will find it fascinating.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent source of information, June 27, 2006
This book deals with history and miths in a serious and at the same time, entertaining way. I enjoyed it very much. It makes you want to know more about the theme, and thankfully it has a very ample further readings section.
I hope to read more books from this author.
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