The anthropologist Marija Gimbutas believed that preliterate

Answer C

The anthropologist Marija Gimbutas believed that preliterate European tribes were not patriarchal like later societies and were matriarchal groups centered around worship of the Great Mother goddess.

A The anthropologist Marija Gimbutas believed that preliterate European tribes were not patriarchal like later societies and were
B The anthropologist Marija Gimbutas believed preliterate European tribes not to be patriarchal like later societies but
C The anthropologist Marija Gimbutas believed that preliterate European tribes were not patriarchal like later societies but were
D It was believed by the anthropologist Marija Gimbutas that preliterate European tribes were not patriarchal like later societies but
E Preliterate European tribes were believed by the anthropologist Marija Gimbutas not to be patriarchal like later societies and were

Analysis of Answer choices

A) INCORRECT :- To highlight intended contrast, the structure should be Not x.......but y. Also to have the comparison between grammatically equal elements, verb needs to be repeated. Hence the correct structure is A believed that B was not C........but was D. This choice has the structure A believed that B was not C........and was D, which does not show the contrast.

B) INCORRECT :- Parallelism issue. A believed B not to be C....... but D. To maintain the parallelism we would need A believed B not to be C....... but to be D

C) CORRECT :- Correct Structure A believed that B was not C........but was D ensures that phrases are parallel.

D) INCORRECT :- If you have clear subject in the sentence (Anthropologist Marija Gimbutas - in this case), then you should not go with passive structure. In addition to this issue, this choice is also incorrect for omitting the verb were after but.

E) INCORRECT :- This choice commits all the mistakes mentioned in Choice A, B, and D.

Hope that helps!