Around 3000-2500 BC, aggressive Indo-European tribes from the south began invading Lithuania's territory. They brought with them patrilineal culture, a patriarchal three-tiered social structure, animal husbandry and male deities. This was called the Corded Ware (or Boat-Axe) culture because of the ceramics decorated with rope impressions it left behind.
As time passed, the original inhabitants of Europe began assimilating into this new Indo-European culture. They acquired a new language, religion and occupations. Gradually, a group of Indo-European nations and tribes who spoke related languages began forming. They inhabited the forested expanses between the Wisla and the Volga and Oka riverhead, the Daugava and the central section of the Dnieper. 19th century scholars named these people the Balts.
"LITHUANIAN ROOTS", Edited by Rytis Ambrazevicius