Ancient Society
"The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State" begins with an extensive discussion of "Ancient Society" which describes the major stages of human development as commonly understood in Engels's time. It is argued that the first domestic institution in human history was the matrilineal clan. Engels here follows Lewis H. Morgan's thesis as outlined in his major book, "Ancient Society". Morgan was a pioneering American anthropologist and business lawyer who championed the land rights of Native Americans and became adopted as an honorary member of the Seneca Iroquois tribe. Traditionally, the Iroquois had lived in communal longhouses based on matrilineal descent and matrilocal residence, an arrangement giving women much solidarity and power. Writing shortly after Marx’s death, Engels stressed the theoretical significance of Morgan’s highlighting of the matrilineal clan: