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

by Cynthia Eller

Book Overview

"Fascinating. . . . Eller carefully clips every thread from which this matriarchal myth is woven." -Natalie Angier, The New York Times Book Review 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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807067938
• ISBN13: 9780807067932
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Beacon Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Generally Misunderstood

It seems that there has been a lot of recent confusion about Mz. 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 Mz. Eller was not out to prove that prehistory was in any way universally patriarchal. Mz. 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, Mz. 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, Mz. 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 Mz. 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 Mz. 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 Mz. 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.

serious investigation into a theory that is quite popular

Cynthia Eller is probably opening herself up to a lot of criticism when she attacks matriarchy, the theory itself and those who argue it. However she does a good job of looking at the evidence on both sides of the issue. This book is best not because of the evidence but because of its understanding of why the theory of matriarchy is so powerful and pulls at so many women (and men, too, though that isn't really the focus of her work). Usually matriarcy is either ignored, rudely dismissed using sexist statements, or happily accepted but Eller's commentary really tries to get to the heart of the controversy without name calling or belittling sides. As a feminist and a scholar, I appreciate her work.

Clan of the Care Bears

In the past 15 years or so, feminism has developed its own version of Creation Science, a school of crank archaeology that stipulates that the period before written history was a golden age of universal matriarchy and goddess-worship. Humans lived in harmony with the earth and with each other, etc, etc. This lovely situation endured for hundreds of thousands of years, until men suddenly got the upper-hand in a patriarchal revolution, whereafter everything has been just awful. Such, at least, is the belief of untold thousands of middle-class white women, who also fancy themselves as keepers of the flame for the ancient goddess religion, allegedly passed down throughout the ages in an unbroken underground tradition. The problem is that there's nothing but wishful thinking and self-flattery supporting these ideas, as Cynthia Eller demonstrates in this book. Now, you'd think the natural tone for an author to take on this topic would be satirical; something in the vein of Mark Twain or H.L. Mencken. Cynthia Eller, however, is not a satirist. Her previous book was a sociological study of present-day "feminist spirituality," a movement with which she is largely in sympathy. Consequently, her dismantling of the house of cards that is goddess-centered prehistory, while thorough and utterly persuasive, is also very diplomatic and gentle. I sort of marveled at her forebearance in this regard, given that she's obviously possessed of a first-class skeptical sensibility and wit. There are still some laughs to be had from the quotations of goddess "scholars," many of which are beyond parody. Eller herself admits that this book will probably do little to change the minds of any Wiccan true believers or Wimmin's Studies victims, which makes me wonder why she didn't permit herself to have a little more fun with the topic. But it's still a very entertaining read -- I knocked it off in two sittings.

Informative, scholarly, challenging, iconoclastic.

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.

Myth shattered

Finally, a sensible reexamination of the myth of matriarchal prehistory! I've always been wary of works that proclaim a blissful matriarchal past with women happily worshipping the Goddess until men finally took over. It has always seemed too unrealistic and too easy an explanation for women's status today. Eller explains not only why this history probably isn't valid, but also why it doesn't work that effectively as myth for feminists today. Her book is incredibly well-researched, and her writing style is engaging and amusing. Eller forces feminists to think about the validity and usefulness of this imagined past. I can well imagine that this book will provoke many readers and hopefully convince some. Great pictures as well! I especially liked the t-shirt that says, "I survived five thousand years of patriarchal hierarchies."