When women ruled

New York City, USA - 7,000 years ago (5000 B.C.) - before the use of writing and long before the fist cities of Mesopotamia and Egypt were built - the Danube Valley was a seat of European civilization boasting settlements of 10,000 or more people.

An exhibit in New York City, "The Lost World of Old Europe: The Danube Valley, 5000-3000 BC", is showcasing archaeological finds from the areas of the richest heritage - Bulgaria, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania.

Included in the exhibition are anthropomorphic figurines which are thought to have been used for religious and ritualistic ceremonies, most of which represent the female form and are thought to possibly represent the mother goddess. Scholars believe the culture of that period was probably ruled by women or was matriarchal in structure. Fertility was an important aspect of ancient civilizations.

The exhibit is at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University. through April 25th, 2010 and admission is free.