I totally grew up on The Straight Dope, glad to know Cecil is still awesome.
I would just add that not only "early hunter-gatherer societies", but even agricultural societies past AND present have "men and women fulfilling distinct, complementary roles of equal perceived value". At least in a narrow economic sense if not a broader social sense, I would even say that was the case in rural communities of our own region as late as 1800 or so (source), although that's not to say women had real freedom over their bodies and lives.
I would agree with his argument that certain scholars are wrong to jump to conclusions like "statues honoring woman = matriarchy" but the reverse could also be said: mainstream scholars see patriarchy where there is equality. Sometimes they see it not only where there is equality, but where the basic binary of male/female doesn't even exist (source).
But definitely, actual matriarchy, with men subordinate to women across all domains of social life, I doubt you could prove that ever existed.
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I would just add that not only "early hunter-gatherer societies", but even agricultural societies past AND present have "men and women fulfilling distinct, complementary roles of equal perceived value". At least in a narrow economic sense if not a broader social sense, I would even say that was the case in rural communities of our own region as late as 1800 or so (source), although that's not to say women had real freedom over their bodies and lives.
I would agree with his argument that certain scholars are wrong to jump to conclusions like "statues honoring woman = matriarchy" but the reverse could also be said: mainstream scholars see patriarchy where there is equality. Sometimes they see it not only where there is equality, but where the basic binary of male/female doesn't even exist (source).
But definitely, actual matriarchy, with men subordinate to women across all domains of social life, I doubt you could prove that ever existed.