He was one of the first intellectuals to link some ancient European cultures to the Basques, something that was disregarded (even considered risible) by the main academic contemporary thought. Now, genetics (and also other biological markers) have proved him right. He was also very sensitive to the presence and distribution of Basque names in the ancient world. He and other Basque intellectuals were derided for that. I remember that while doing research in the Basque House in Madrid, their president asked me not to point any relationship between Basque names and ancient topography. They were afraid of even mentioning the subject. I complied. Nevertheless, a few years later some top linguists in Germany started to study precisely that field using the most modern academic methods. They arrived at the same conclusions that Arana Goiri and other Basques had reached many years ago.
So, I suddenly became free to cover that subject in The Oldest Europeans.
Curiously, there is a very interesting cloud of silence about any possible Euzkan cultural influence. In almost any book about ancient Greece, for instance, it can be found that thalassa was a Pelasgian name for the sea. It could be expected that someone would have explored any linguistic link with those ancient Europeans, the Basques. None did it, to my knowledge. Tala is linked to water in Basque. Yes, a remarkable cloud of silence still persists about that ancient culture, as there is a thunderous silence about ancient women's role in society.
I thought it was a good time to vindicate those formidable women and Arana Goiri as well.
Norm:
What do you mean when you say that Euzko societies were matrilineal and matrifocal and why is this important in our understanding of the first Europeans?
Dr. J.F. del Giorgio
That is the key to the whole book. The family structure is the most important attribute in any society. Just like cells typify and foretell the possible attributes of a body. Matrilineality means that Euzkos traced their ascent through maternal lines. Modern occidental societies tend to do the opposite. Power among the Euzkos was transferred not from a king to a prince but from a queen to a princess. Kings came to power only because they married the Queen of the realm. Women had a surprising religious power. Children who grew in those societies rejected the accumulation of power by a male leader.
Norm:
Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book?
Dr. J.F. del Giorgio
Years of training in gathering mountains of data for lab work and then make sense out of it helped. I got many insights through travel (and enjoyed the travels!) Actually many of the ideas presented in the book had been growing by themselves through visits to museums and historical sites. Avid research in libraries in Europe and America helped a lot. Being member of a university staff, I had an easy access to scientific articles on many of the main subjects. Many articles on DNA research, for instance, simply appeared on my desk. In universities and alike institutions you just need to point your fields of interest--people around will spontaneously help. Sometimes they were until then unknown people, who responded in unexpected, inspiring ways.
Norm:
What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?
Dr. J.F. del Giorgio
It is not always easy to get the information you need. My main problems, anyhow, were physical. I suffered a stroke while in New York. It was followed by two minor additional episodes. It was hard to recover, but all in all I think that I have done well. It delayed the book, but a lot of key scientific data kept appearing and I then was able to profit from it.
Norm:
How important is the use of modern technology and DNA in our understanding of history and where do you think this will all lead?
Dr. J.F. del Giorgio
DNA techniques are rewriting history. It is changing our view on many supposed migrations. It reveals the ties between peoples--the dream of ancient sightseers. Some terrible episodes are known only through DNA tests--extinctions or near-extinctions at global or local levels. Lineages, invasions, expansions, the DNA research is throwing light on all those fields. It is difficult to foresee what will follow. Many surprises will come. We are just witnessing the first fruits of the pioneers. Techniques are becoming more and more refined by the day; the number of genetic markers keeps growing and so our understanding of their meanings. In a few years it will be possible to discern which were the biological challenges those populations had to confront. A whole new world is at hand!
Norm:
What is next for Dr. J.F. del Giorgio?
Dr. J.F. del Giorgio
The Sounds of the Stone, my next book. It will cover many of the subjects that I started to develop in The Oldest Europeans.
Norm:
Thanks once again for participating in our interview and good luck with your book!
Norm Goldman is editor of the book reviewing and author interviewing site
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