The Council of Goddesses from Poduri

Narration text

Before you is one of the most spectacular cult assemblages in European prehistory: the Council of Goddesses from Poduri. There are 21 female figurines and 13 thrones, found together at Poduri–Dealul Ghindaru, in Bacău County, during excavations led by the archaeologist Dan Monah. They were shaped roughly 6,800 years ago.

The figurines vary in size: 13 larger ones can be seated on the thrones, together with smaller figurines and two small cult objects. One seated figure, with her head and upper body tilted back, may have represented an important personage. Specialists think the assemblage depicts the pantheon of these communities, perhaps a single female figure in different stages of life: girl, maiden, pregnant woman and mother.

If they are right, we are looking at an ancient meditation on the cycle of life. Just think: long before the gods of Olympus, someone arranged a council of goddesses right here.