One of the most hotly debated topics in archeology today is that of the role of a Goddess figure in early religions and its impact on ancient civilizations. Some critics on this topic tend to believe that defiantly there was a Great Goddess figure in every ancient religion which was the primary deity. While other scholars take a more moderate approach on the matter. The topic of whether or not ancient civilizations were total centered upon a female goddess form is still being closely debated, and is up for close examination.
             A renewed interest in goddesses comes from the feminist interpretation of established religions. The goddess theory is in part an attempt to find alternatives to a male god. There are many different paths in which one could take in order to fully understand the goddess theory. One such path is to seek goddesses in prehistoric times and in ancient societies, particularly in the Near East and to look for evidence of goddess worship in archaeological remains. This is the "Great Goddess" school of thought followers of this belief think that in prehistoric and ancient times, human beings worshipped a "Great Goddess" of fertility and reproduction. They use as their initial evidence the big-bellied, big-breasted figurines found at a number of prehistoric sites. Another direction is to examine goddess figures in existing religions, and to do a reinterpretation of sacred texts and traditions that gives greater strength to them. Finally the last direction that can be taken in the goddess theory is that of the "goddess revival." The Goddess Revival states that established religions are to patriarchal and women must turn away from them to active goddess worship. Believers in the goddess revival also declare that only by devotion to a female deity that women can be full and equal participants in religion and thus an equal member of society.
             There is a problem with all of the goddess arguments. If a society or ...