Trypillia research was initially embraced by the Soviet Union, which funded archaeological projects. Communist officials seized on parallels between the impressive ancient civilisation and Marxist ideology that promoted a classless society with no private ownership. It was thought that "Trypillia was a wonderful illustration of a pre-class, classless society or primitive communism," said Videiko. But when indications that Trypillia may not have been the classless utopia it first appeared, things quickly changed.