Mycenae is an archaeological site in Greece, located about 90 km south-west of Athens, in the north-eastern Peloponnese.From the hill on which the palace was located one can see across the Argolid to the Saronic Gulf.

In the second millennium BC Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is called Mycenaean in reference to Mycenae.

THE MYCENAEAN TREASURE

The acropolis reveals itself in the heart of the landscape that is barred to the north, a bit tamer towards the south. A gray mound of rock with the marks of the Cyclops upon it. One has to touch these gigantic rough – hewn in order to comprehend the deep sense of security they offered the Mycenaean’s. Within these walls the leaders heaped the booty from their extended wars, gold and jewels, bowls and purple rugs. Mycenae was the most powerful, brilliant and sovereign influence in Greece up to 1100 BC when it was destroyed by fire. Centuries later the tragic poets Aeschylus and Sophocles brought it back to life with the magic of their verses. One enters the acropolis through the Lion Gate, the oldest example of monumental sculpture in Europe. A secondary entrance, built in the same style, exists in the north side. Inside the walls excavations have uncovered the palace complex, grave circle A with six royal tombs, courtiers’ houses, sanctuaries and other important buildings. Outside the acropolis lie the ruins of private houses. Grave Circle B with 14 royal tombs and 12 tombs of private citizens. On the nearby hill of Panayitsa archaeologists brought to light the most stunning edifice of Mycenaean architecture, the Treasure of Atreus, also known as the beehive tomb of Agamemnon. Most of the more exceptional finds from the site are on exhibit in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. These include frescoes, gold jewellery, and the gold mask said to have belonged to Agamemnon, among other priceless pieces.

EXCAVATIONS

The first excavations at Mycenae were carried out by the Greek archaeologist Kyriakos Pittakis in 1841. He found and restored the Lion Gate. In 1874 Heinrich Schliemann arrived at the site and undertook a complete excavation. Schliemann believed in the historical truth of the Homeric stories and interpreted the site accordingly. He found the ancient shaft graves with their royal skeletons and spectacular grave goods. Upon discovering a human skull beneath a gold death mask in one of the tombs, he declared: "I have gazed upon the face of Agamemnon". Since Schliemann's day more scientific excavations have taken place at Mycenae, mainly by Greek archaeologists but also by the British School at Athens. The acropolis was excavated in 1902, and the surrounding hills have been methodically investigated by subsequent excavations.

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