The AMAZONS

This book follows in the footsteps of the legendary Amazons. It explores the famous Amazon legend in all its facets, embarks on an archaeological search for clues, and presents the latest research findings from the Amazons’ legendary homeland on the Thermodon River and from the island of Lemnos, which was once inhabited by Amazons. In-depth studies of ancient Amazon legends, combined with the latest on-site discoveries, unravel the mysterious myth surrounding this famous tribe of women. Numerous illustrations document the research findings.
This latest research challenges the established view of history. Numerous archaeological and historical clues suggest that the Amazons really did exist! Based on these latest findings, the lost history of the Amazons can be reconstructed.

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When one considers the overwhelming amount of archaeological evidence from across Europe that was compiled by the renowned archaeologist Marija Gimbutas, it is very surprising that her findings regarding a once-dominant egalitarian social structure prior to the invasion of patriarchal Indo-European peoples found so little acceptance in academic circles.

Marija Gimbutas (1921 - 1994) was a serious, profound scholar who devoted her entire professional life to archaeological research; she possessed extensive knowledge not only in the field of archaeology but also in linguistics, ethnology, and the history of religion. Her theories are well-thought-out, explained in straightforward terms, and supported by numerous archaeological artifacts.
She was professor of archaeology at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) from 1963 to 1989, and directed major excavations of Neolithic sites in southeastern Europe.

Located in the northern Aegean Sea, the relatively unknown Greek island of Lemnos boasts a magnificent prehistoric past. Five thousand years ago, a significant advanced civilization flourished here, featuring impressive urban complexes, massive rock-cut structures, and awe-inspiring sanctuaries. The discovery of the Early Bronze Age site at Poliochni is considered sensational. Due to its size and level of development, this settlement is considered the oldest city in Europe. Myrina in the west and Hephaistia in the north also impress with their astonishing prehistoric legacy. It is believed that a fourth urban settlement once existed in the far northeast of the island - the legendary Chryse, which sank into the sea following an earthquake. At the same time, it is evident that women played a role in this culture that was, at the very least, equal to that of men. It was not without reason that Lemnos was characterized in antiquity as »the island ruled by women«.
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At present, this book is only available in German.

The Swiss scholar Johann Jakob Bachofen is undoubtedly considered a pioneer in the study of matriarchy.
His magnum opus, »Das Mutterrecht«, is still regarded today - more than 130 years after its first publication - as groundbreaking, and his thoroughly researched theories and interpretations remain relevant to this day.

==> Johann Jakob Bachofen - Explorer of the Mother Right

This pioneering work, first published in 1972 and revised in 1985, was the first to argue, intelligently and irrefutably, the equal role of women in human evolution. It created a worldwide furore and became a rallying point for women everywhere. The book's influence has been profound and lasting. It remains the key book in any discussion of women's place in society.

Matriarchy today
Matriarchal ways of life still exist in isolated pockets today. Unfortunately, however, due to cultural assimilation and advancing globalization, they are doomed to extinction. These remaining matriarchal cultures are living proof that female-dominated societies are a historical reality. The last tangible examples are the Minangkabau on Sumatra and the Moso in southwestern China.

==> The Moso in Southern China
A vivid picture of the matriarchal Moso culture is provided by the book: Leaving Mother Lake. A Girlhood at the Edge of the World by Yang Erche Namu. Aside from the fact that the book itself is very entertaining, the autobiographical account by the Moso woman Erche Namu provides a deep insight into this distinctly matriarchal culture.
Leaving Mother Lake. A Girlhood at the Edge of the World

Finally, here’s an interesting detail: In the Moso language »Ama« is »Mother«. This is a remarkable coincidence with the name of the warlike tribe of women known as the Amazons. Another parallel can be found among the Berbers, who were once organized along matriarchal lines. In the Berber language, the Berbers refer to themselves as Amazigh. All these correspondences suggest that the ancient word Ama once meant »Mother« in the strict sense and, furthermore, served as a term for »matriarchal culture« in a figurative sense.

==> The Minangkabau people of West Sumatra
The Minangkabau of Sumatra have a culture that admirably combines a matriarchal way of life with the Islamic religion. Since the 1980s, anthropologist Peggy Reeves Sanday has spent several months almost every year immersed in this culture. Her book Women at the Center: Life in a Modern Matriarchy provides us with a well-founded picture of this female-dominated culture and leaves little doubt that the term »matriarchy« is appropriate here.
Women at the Center: Life in a Modern Matriarchy