Abstract

In this paper I reflect on the mythocreative potential of Gimbutas’ narrative reconstruction of archaic culture and its impact on the contemporary critique of culture. First, I revise the notion of ‘nature’ in the context of two opposing conceptual paradigms of change-over-time, namely cyclic and linear. Then, I discuss symbolic connotation of ‘Nature – Culture’ interrelationship with special reference to the ‘idyllic vision of Goddess’ proposed by Marija Gimbutas (1921-1994), American archaeologist of Lithuanian origin, the author of the groundbreaking books on Neolithic religion The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe (1974) and The Language of the Goddess (1989). Gimbutas’ work based on archaeological evidence and also anthropological, linguistic, ethnological and folklore studies, aims in supporting her general thesis that the European prehistoric culture, so called Old Europe (c. 6 500 – 3 500 BC), was peaceful, egalitarian, nature-revering, matrifocal and worshiped a Great Goddess as giver of all life. In conclusion, I undertake a question whether this ecofeminist mythization of Nature, inspired by the ancient artifacts and Gimbutas’ reconstruction of the narrative structure they represent, may provide inspiration for present and future cultural transformation, or rather remains merely past-oriented sentimentalism and outdated eco-romanticism.