From: gpiotr@...
Message: 48
Date: 1999-09-28
> Dear Indoeuropeans, > I'd like to know very much your opinion of Marija Gimbutas' work, > especially her book 'The Language of the Goddess'(In Germany: Die > Sprache der Göttin, bei 2001). Archaeologists seem to frown > continuously when they hear her name, but I admire her work very much, > especially her ability to see (and show her readers) similarities in > European Neolithic arts and their - non-language - meanings (she also > adds Lithuanian - and other - folklore in places where I can see the > similarity, very interesting). She opened my eyes to the fact that > before humans used writing to convey their languages - for what reason > ever - they had other, rather symbolic - means to express their > religious beliefs or their adoration of nature and life. > I find it especially important to note the fact that in the substratum > 'Old European' regions men and women seem to have lived on in equal > status, a fact that may have been one of the reasons for itslongevity.
> But is it true that Indoeuropeans were male dominated as I have read > again and again? If yes (judging from archaeological finds - but they > are very much subject to modern interpretations): does this fact show > in PIE/early IE languages? > And I don't mean the fact that there was a male god 'ruling' the IE > pantheon (because that's probably interpretation again), I'd rather be > interested in more general proof (e.g.the use of a male pronoun if > speaking about a mixed group or other 'male' generalizations). Somehow > I'm not convinced of the 'male dominant' IE community yet. > Looking forward to your opinions > Sabine Ivanovas > Crete >