From Southern Greece to Northern Russia, the people living in rural communities have always believed in "dancing goddesses," secret female spiritual entities who spend their days and nights dancing in the fields and forests. In the book "The Dancing Goddesses," archaeologist, linguist, and lifelong folk dancer Elizabeth Wayland Barber traces the journey of these spiritual girls—associated with fertility, wedding customs, and domestic activities—from their early appearances in traditional myths and rural celebrations to their most recent portrayals in fairy tales and contemporary dances. Illustrated with photographs, maps, and line drawings, the result is a highly original work at the intersection of archaeology and folk traditions—both a rich portrait of our abundant rural heritage and a captivating reminder of the human need to dance.