https://youtu.be/3_-AHYe8Q7M

Celtic tribes were centred around women

Celtic communities in Britain were ‘matriolocal’ — women stayed with their families and their husbands came to them — according to genetic analysis. Investigations of 55 individuals found in an Iron Age burial site in the south of England associated with the Durotriges tribe showed that two-thirds of them shared mitochondrial DNA. This form of DNA is passed only through mothers — a sign that they all descended from the same female ancestor. Matriolocality doesn’t necessarily equate to women’s empowerment, but the findings could explain why archaeologists often find Celtic women buried with goods such as jewellery and combs, while men weren’t afforded the same luxuries for the afterlife.

Science | 6 min read
Reference: Nature paper

Happy New Year!

I've put together a clip that can help us navigate 2025.

Hoping you find this valuable and wishing you the best,

Jacqui

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_39--GZL9bs

Celebrating 33 years of Independence

Slovenian Embassy, Washington D.C.

2nd edition of Finding Slovenia, 

published by Mladinska knjiga,

Ljubljana, Slovenia, June, 2024.

First published in 2009.

 

In remembrance of Lia, a light that stills shine bright
in the Archive of Past Treasures

May Lia's memory inspire us now, even as her indomitable spirit did in life.

How lucky we were to have known her.

We need to live for Lia - 

her life was cut too short.

With sadness and renewed commitment to achieving Lia's goals of global justice, 

Jacqui

 

 

                  For your viewing pleasure

Here's a cursory look at a place whose past has been vitally important to the world. 

youtu.be/ROSkmMhBqX8

Gold, secular abbeys and imperial perils all come together in this last Hidden Women book as the author tracks her grandparents’ escape from Europe. Both sides of the ocean menaced those fleeing Europe for America at the turn of the 20^th century. Just as the treatment of women mirrors societal conditions, miners’ lives also may reflect whether justice is open to all or not.

Here's one reaction -

Heartfelt thanks for your fascinating book covering Mines, Temples and Parklands in Celtic Europe. The layout flowed so well enabling your readers to clearly see the connection between the ancient existential challenges of mining gold with creating art that reflected the values and philosophies imbedded in the Celtic culture.  The way you integrated your research with your family's history and legacy was seamless; the flow worked so well. Your photographs blended landscape, architecture, portraits and icons that reflected and illustrated your narrative so well. The book is both scholarly and personal: the sum far exceeds the parts.

What a joy to read and to own this book. This and your other books enhance our library being the gifts that keep giving.  The sum and substance of what I have read has enriched our travels in Europe opening my eyes to concepts and cultures which went unacknowledged for too long.

P.S. April 8, 2024