francene--blog. Year 2013
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Oct 25th

10/25/2013

 
PictureLima, Peru
Just how important are women in society? Well, for a start, they human race wouldn't have reached this stage with women to give birth to future generations. Maybe that will change in the future if science has any say in it. What about women's role, their leadership, their teaching and acting as a role model for the children? Invaluable. If future generations are grown in an artificial womb, someone else will tutor the youngsters—someone without the love and bond created by natural childbirth.

I often wonder how present circumstances came about. After all, men and women were created different, each with a separate role, but equal in importance. Yet, nowadays, men take the lead and have the say about the future of society—war, bombs, and mass genocide. Would things be any different with women at the helm? Let's look at one society from the past.


Picturewww.onthegotours.com
In February, Archaeologists in Peru discovered a pyramid-like temple at the ancient site of El Paraiso, near the capital, Lima. Entry to the rectangular structure, estimated to be up to 5,000 years old, was via a narrow passageway. The temple walls were made of stone and covered in fine yellow clay which also contained some traces of red paint. At its centre, the archaeologists from Peru's Ministry of Culture found a hearth which they believe was used to burn ceremonial offerings. The smoke is thought to have allowed the priests to connect with their gods.

With 10 ruins, El Paraiso is one of the biggest archaeological sites in central Peru and has been under excavation since 1981. The settlement once supported a farming and fishing community numbering hundreds of people.

In June, archaeologists unearthed a royal tomb from about 1,200 years ago. The discovery north of Lima and close to the modern-day Ayacucho in the Andes, sheds new light on the Wari empire, which ruled in the Andes before the rise of the better-known Inca civilization.


Picturewww.willgoto.com
Archaeologists found more than 60 skeletons inside the tomb, including three Wari queens buried with gold and silver jewelry and brilliantly-painted ceramics. Many mummified bodies were found sitting upright—indicating royalty. The fact that most of the skeletons were of women and the very rich grave goods, shows this was a tomb of the royal elite and that also changes our point of view on the position of the women in the Wari culture, which thrived from the 7th to 10th centuries AD, and conquered all of what is now Peru before a mysterious and dramatic decline. Little is known about the Wari culture, as they did not appear to leave a written record.

The news this morning reveals a new find of two mummies, an adult and a child, more than 1,000 years old. The child is believed to have been an offering to the gods and may have been buried alive after the adult's death. The mummies are squatting and are fully dressed wrapped in rope. It is the third intact find among more than 70 tombs uncovered in the Huaca Pucllana tomb.

We can only speculate on the circumstances of these deaths. It seems that little has changed in the way of people's cruelty over the centuries. But it's the interaction between men and woman that holds my interest. Women seemed to play an important role back then.


Picturewww.theguardian.com
Throughout the present-day world, the gap between men and women has narrowed slightly in the past year in most countries, according to a new World Economic Forum report.

Iceland, Finland and Norway top the list of 136 nations, based on political participation, economic equality and rights like education and health. Featured in the top twenty countries, Ireland is sixth, New Zealand seventh, and the UK eighteenth with Canada 20. No mention of the USA in this list.
The Middle East and North Africa were the only regions not to improve in the past year, with Yemen at the bottom.

It seems we've got a long way to go before a balance is struck between men and women nowadays.


Amanda HelmiBM link
10/24/2013 08:19:39 pm

I have always felt that women should hold a higher balance in the world of power. We are more responsible and stable than men, in the sense that the majority of women will stay with the children and always feel a responsibility to them. We connect with nature easier and can sense what people are thinking and the emotions behind conversations. Please don't lash hate on me men! It's just my opinion.

Francene Stanley link
10/24/2013 10:51:26 pm

Well said. Of course you can express an opinion. If a man should choose to take offront, it only highlights a defensive attitude.

Alexandria Ingham link
10/24/2013 08:29:02 pm

I shudder to think at a poor child being buried alive as an offering. That has always been a big fear from a young age after hearing the stories of people being buried alive.

I do a lot of research in history, especially into women, and see just how far society has come from just a hundred years ago. There is still a long way to go, especially in some cultures, but we are getting there!

Francene Stanley link
10/24/2013 10:52:43 pm

Women have come a long way since the dark ages, but have gone backwards since the times of the Amazon warriors. ;-)

Adelien link
10/24/2013 09:23:36 pm

I would like to emphasize that men and women were created different, each with their role and responsibility. I admit that feminism has shown great influence and advantage, but it should not make women forget their main role, especially if they have got children.
What a great post as usual. Thank you for sharing.

Francene Stanley link
10/24/2013 10:53:53 pm

I don't think women could distance themselves from the mother/child bond. It's very powerful.

Amy link
10/25/2013 12:21:07 am

Francene, fascinating post about the role of women in society through the ages. A book (actually, several books) could be written on the subjects. Some of the chapters would be difficult to read, and others (such as, about the queens you mentioned) would be pleasant.

Francene Stanley link
10/25/2013 03:08:49 am

If only I had to time to write more books. ;-)

Carol Tomany link
10/25/2013 01:33:40 am

I like the idea of being treated like a queen :)

Francene Stanley link
10/25/2013 03:09:45 am

Okay. Decide that's what you want and maybe it will happen. In your dreams.

Treathyl Fox link
10/25/2013 03:12:18 am

Always fascinated by what archaeologists find just digging in the dirt.

Francene Stanley link
10/25/2013 06:53:10 pm

I can't wait for new finds. They're always an interesting link to the past.

Alana link
10/25/2013 07:30:33 am

In our part of the world we had the Iroquois League, an association of five (later six) different Native American tribes whose women played very important roles in governance. Lineal descent was through the female line, too.

Francene Stanley link
10/25/2013 06:52:07 pm

How wonderful to know of instances first hand. Those women must have been so strong.


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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