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===Early life=== Marija Gimbutas was born as '''Marija BirutÄ AlseikaitÄ''' to [[Veronika JanulaitytÄ-AlseikienÄ]] and [[Danielius Alseika]] in [[Vilnius]], the capital of the [[Republic of Central Lithuania]]; her parents were members of the Lithuanian intelligentsia.<ref name="WareBraukman234">{{Harvnb|Ware|Braukman|2004|p=234}}</ref> Her mother received a doctorate in [[ophthalmology]] at the [[University of Berlin]] in 1908, while her father received his medical degree from the [[University of Tartu]] in 1910. After [[Act of independence of Lithuania|Lithuania regained independence]] in 1918, Gimbutas's parents organized the [[Lithuanian Association of Sanitary Aid]] which founded the first Lithuanian hospital in the capital.<ref name="WareBraukman234"/> During this period, her father also served as the publisher of the newspaper ''Vilniaus žodis'' and the cultural magazine ''Vilniaus Å”viesa'' and was an outspoken proponent of Lithuanian independence during the [[PolishāLithuanian War]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Marler|1998|p=114}}.</ref> Gimbutas's parents were connoisseurs of traditional Lithuanian folk arts and frequently invited contemporary musicians, writers, and authors to their home, including [[VydÅ«nas]], [[Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas]], and [[Jonas BasanaviÄius]].<ref name="Marler115">{{Harvnb|Marler|1998|p=115}}.</ref> With regard to her strong cultural upbringing, Gimbutas said:<blockquote>I had the opportunity to get acquainted with writers and artists such as VydÅ«nas, Tumas-Vaižgantas, even BasanaviÄius, who was taken care of by my parents. When I was four or five years old, I would sit in BasanaviÄius's easy chair and I would feel fine. And later, throughout my entire life, BasanaviÄius's collected folklore remained extraordinarily important for me.<ref name="Marler115"/></blockquote> In 1931, Gimbutas settled with her parents in [[Kaunas]], the [[temporary capital of Lithuania]]. After her parents separated that year, she lived with her mother and brother, Vytautas, in Kaunas. Five years later, her father died suddenly. At her father's deathbed, Gimbutas pledged that she would study to become a scholar: "All of a sudden I had to think what I shall be, what I shall do with my life. I had been so reckless in sportsāswimming for miles, skating, bicycle riding. I changed completely and began to read."<ref>{{Harvnb|Marler|1998|p=116}}.</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Marler|1997|p=9}}</ref>
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