Mycenaean vaulted tomb unearthed in central Greece
A Mycenaean vaulted tomb has been discovered near Amfissa in central Greece during the course of an irrigation project.
Found in Amifissa, the vaulted tomb is the first of its kind discovered in Phocis and one of the few in Central Greece
[Credit: To Vima]
The tomb presents all the features typical of this type of structure: a long dromos 9 metres in length with stone-built sides, a deep prothalamos or vestibule and a circular burial chamber which has a maximum internal diameter of 5.90 metres.
Although the superstructure of the dome had collapsed, the walls of the chamber maintain a height of almost three metres.
The tomb has not been looted and the offerings found scattered on its floor date the tomb's use from the 14th until the end of the 12th centuries BC.
Among the grave goods retrieved by the archaeologists are 44 vases with painted decoration, two bronze vases, gold and bronze rings, one of which has an engraved decoration on its bevel, buttons made of semi-precious stones, two bronze daggers, female and zoomorphic figurines and a large number of sealstones with animal, floral and linear motifs.
Numerous drinking vessels, craters, urns and amphorae were also found deposited at the end of the dromos and appear to have been part of the funerary feast.
The vaulted tomb at Amfissa is unique, being the first of its kind found in Phocis and one of the few in Central Greece.
The find is expected to provide important information for the historical development of the region, which includes the sanctuary of Delphi.
The excavation was held in the presence of the local ephorate of antiquities and police in order to protect the precious archaeological findings.
Source: To Vima [July 30, 2014]
Read more at: http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.it/2014/07/mycenaean-vaulted-tomb-unearthed-in.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheArchaeologyNewsNetwork+(The+Archaeology+News+Network)#.U9kNMSh7DfU
Follow us: @ArchaeoNewsNet on Twitter | groups/thearchaeologynewsnetwork/ on Facebook
