Re: Matriarchy - Female dominated cultures

Julie Locascio (julie.cpc@mhs.unc.edu)
Mon, 23 Oct 1995 11:09:50

>I'm looking for info on any cultures which have demonstrable equity in
>gender roles or where females occupy the higher status positions.

Have you read Riane Eisler's "The Chalice and the Blade"? She offers theories
and evidence for ancient egalitarian societies. She also believes that
perceptions of "matriarchical" societies are usually misinterpretations of
egalitarian societies because male archaeologists are more likely to believe
that one gender or the other must be controlling the other, and dismiss the
idea that real gender equality might be politically present.