Lepenski Vir
Lepenski Vir is a must-see site for those interested in the origins of human civilization and the Goddess Culture, as it is one of the oldest settlements in the world. It was established more than 11,000 years ago, reaching its peak between 6500 BC and 4500 BC, before its inhabitants abandoned it in favour of other locations.
Dozens of trapezoidal pyramid-shaped huts were discovered at the site, all oriented towards a mountain protruding from the opposite side of the river, imitating its shape. According to the widely accepted interpretation, these were the homes of people who lived inside mathematically accurate miniature replicas of the mountain. They revered the mountain, considering it sacred, and therefore established their settlement in front of it.
The presence of dozens of huts suggests a settlement of hundreds of people, and indeed, more than 180 skeletons were found during excavations. Interestingly, all of them were tall, healthy individuals (including women) who often lived to an advanced age. None of the skeletons showed any signs of violence—clear evidence of a civilization that thrived in peace and prosperity. The average life expectancy in the Neolithic period was about 40 years, but in Lepenski Vir, people lived to an average age of 55, with many reaching 70 years or older. The average height of a Neolithic person was 1.50 meters, but in Lepenski Vir, the average height was 1.64 meters for women and 1.72 meters for men—very similar to modern-day measurements.
The graves exhibit ritualistic characteristics, and over the thousands of years of the settlement’s existence, burial practices evolved through three distinct stages:
Early Stage (11,000 years ago): Only one human skeleton was found, positioned in a meditative pose with hands on the hips—likely that of a shaman or priest.
Middle Stage (9,000 years ago): People were buried upright, parallel to the river, with their skulls positioned downstream, suggesting that they viewed the river as a living entity with which they hoped to merge (like fish) after death.
Later Stage (7,000 years ago): Burial customs changed, likely due to shifts in religious beliefs. People were buried in a fetal position, facing the fire in the center of the hut.
The graves contain decorations, pottery, and sculptures of strange stone figures with large eyes, similar to figurines found in other Goddess Culture sites throughout the Balkans. In addition, much larger statues were found inside the huts. These statues are unique to Lepenski Vir and represent a distinctive form of art. They consist of large, round stones (up to a meter in size), shaped like eggs, with mouths and eyes resembling a fish-man. Some also feature hands, female genitalia, and other symbolic elements. The figurines were found near the fireplace inside the huts.
The statues combine three motifs of the Goddess religion—fish, associated with water and therefore with birth and fertility; eyes and mouth, associated with humans; and the egg, symbolizing resurrection and the emergence of life from stone or bone, much like a chick hatching from an egg. This symbolic language describes the purpose of these structures—to enable rebirth after death. Additionally, microlithic tools were found inside the huts, featuring symbols related to the Goddess, such as owl eyes, deer antlers, and what appear to be magical wands. On the floor, there is a stone channel leading to a fireplace, covered with red ochre, beneath which human burials were discovered.
Archaeological findings show that Lepenski Vir had an organized and complex society engaged in fishing and hunting, deeply connected to the river and the mountain on the opposite side. They were not farmers, as agriculture had not yet reached the Balkans at that time, and the surrounding area was not suitable for agriculture. The site, which was discovered during the construction of the dam, has been partially restored, including a model of a hut, a small museum, and a reconstruction of the village under a shelter.
Marija Gimbutas offers an interesting and original interpretation of Lepenski Vir. According to her, the “houses” are too small to have been used as dwellings, meaning their primary function must have been ritualistic—they were a kind of birth temple. This would explain the red colouring on the floor, which is associated with birth and life. The triangular shape is linked to female genitalia, the stone channel leading into the hearth represents the vagina, and the fireplace symbolizes the womb, with the statues signifying new life.
According to Gimbutas, the huts had a dual purpose—serving as both birth temples and as temples for death and rebirth into the next world. Indeed, under the floors, skulls of babies and elderly individuals were found, as well as skeletons of animals associated with sacred femininity, such as fish. The skeletons were found intact, not showing signs of decomposition as would occur if they had been consumed, indicating that they were buried for ritual purposes.
The dozens of huts served numerous people, possibly families who came there to hold ceremonies marking the transition to the afterlife and to give birth into this world. The positioning of the huts in front of the triangular mountain enhances the site’s magical effect, particularly given its location across the waters of the river. In addition to Lepenski Vir, 15 other sites from the same period have been discovered in the Iron Gates area—ten on the Romanian side and five on the Serbian side—all sharing a similar culture. Over 300 skeletons have been uncovered at these sites, all of them belonging to healthy individuals with complete teeth.
