 |
 |
In the February 5, 2025, issue of Nature, one of the most important science magazines in the world, is a research report about the genetic origins of the Indo-Europeans. This study has 97 authors from across the globe. They studied 435 DNA samples from burial sites in Eastern Europe and Russia that were 4,000 to 8,000 years old. Their findings strongly support the Kurgan hypothesis first fully formulated by Marija Gimbutas. However, in the article Marija’s name is not mentioned. She is relegated to footnote number 22.
Originally from Lithuania, she obtained her PhD in archeology in post-WWII Germany. She continued her work at the Peabody Museum, Harvard University, in Boston, but under extremely misogynistic and anti-immigrant discriminatory circumstances. I have summarized the difficulties she faced in my introductory comments to Lord Colin Renfrew’s talk at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Civilizations, University of Chicago, seven years ago. This YouTube presentation can be accessed by clicking HERE.
The reason I organized and financed this First Marija Gimbutas Memorial Lecture, and the Second one, and the Third one, at the ISAC, was to try to remedy the professional and institutional neglect of her major archeologic accomplishments. The ISAC (previously called the Oriental Institute) is one of the leading archeology research centers in the world.
I am stunned that ignoring Marija continues in 2025 by a host of archeology researchers. It is notable that the first seven authors of this Nature report are all from Harvard University!
I was recently interviewed on Komentaras TV about how Marija Gimbutas has influenced my own artwork and my 250 boulder installation at the base of Varnupiai Sacred Mound (piliakalnis) in Lithuania. This 45-minute interview is available on YouTube by clicking HERE. It is in Lithuanian.
My boulder installation is in part to honor the legacy of Marija Gimbutas. It is truly gratifying that a few days ago the city of Marijampole allotted 250,000 euros to make this site more accessible to the public.
Sincerely, Pagarbiai, Dr. Audrius Plioplys
