The Civilization of the Goddess

Isn't it ironic that what is classified as Civilization began with warrior cultures obsessed with the killing and dominating of other humans, while the relatively peaceful cultures of the Paleo- and Neolithic are classified as PRE-Civilization - as if Civilization could not really exist until we started dominating and killing each other!

From Marija Gimbutas' (and other's) excavations, we see many images of what she calls Bird Goddesses - the life-giving force of woman combined with attributes of birds. They are found painted on temple walls, as well as on pottery. Gimbutas notes in her writings that the crescent-shaped bull horns and skull so often associated with the goddess in Paleo- and Neolithic cultures, resemble very closely the reproductive organs of a human female - interesting.

I am working on a mixed media series called the Bird Women, who bear only a symbolic resemblance to the ancient Bird Goddesses, to commemorate our oldest peaceful, successful and creative ancestors. May we wage peace in the name of The Civilization of the Goddess!

Mary Preiser Potts