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Athens (Attica) | Attica | Athens City

National Archaeological Museum of Athens - Prehistoric Collection

The New York Times has recently (April 2008) published an article on Athens. In it there is a reference to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens: "In neighboring Exarcheia, the renovated National Archaeological Museum (Patission 44; 30-210-821-7724) has classical sculptures and gold treasures from Mycenae". We think of this reference as being the Understatement of the century!

 Athens National Archaeological Museum:
Exhibit 624. Gold death-mask, known as
the 'mask of Agamemnon'. (Grave V,
Grave Circle A, Mycenae, 16th century BC)

This is because the Greek National Archaeological Museum in Athens is rightfully considered to be not only the most important, yet also one of the richest archaeological museums in the world in terms of containing Ancient Greek Art! Please refer to the relevant Album as proof of how much right we are!

The Greek National Archaeological Museum is housed in a neoclassical building designed by the noted German architect Ernst Ziller in 1889. It houses perhaps the most impressive collection of ancient Greek treasures in the world. The neoclassical design of the exterior tries its best to keep up with the true Greek classic style of the works it houses. This museum includes the golden so-called "Mask of Agamemnon", excavated by Heinrich Schliemann at ancient Mycenae, the bronze "boy jockey" of Artemision that somehow stayed in great condition despite being fished out of the sea, and a range of excellent sculptures, pottery, furniture and jewellery.

Further wonderful inclusions are:

  • Prehistoric items/Ruins
  • Sculpture
  • Pottery and Minor art
  • Bronzes
  • Egyptian Art

Operating Hours are as follows:
Monday 13.00-19.30
Tuesday-Sunday 08.30-15.00

Telephone Contact: 210/821-7717 Address: 44, 28th Oktovriou (Patission) Ave, Athens, Greece


Note: Given the huge number of exhibits, this album on the National Archaeological Museum of Athens is progressing step by step: Please visit this Album from time to time to see it growing!
(Photos: Michael Tziotis)

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Click on any of the pictures to enlarge.

Gallery IV / Mycenaean Civilization / Mycenae / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, 16th century BC.

This is a 360o glass window in the middle of Gallery IV. It has four 'faces': One turned to the Museum and Gallery IV entrance, one opposite, and two side faces, one to the South and the last one to the North.

An introductory text on MYCENAE’S GRAVE CIRCLE A is to be found in a previous album page, "Gallery IV / Mycenaean Civilization / Mycenae / Grave Circle A / Finds from Graves I, II and VI, 16th century BC". Please refer to this page to also have a brief description of the finds in all six graves belonging to Grave Circle A.

Shaft Grave IV
It is conspicuous by its wealth and size. It contained three male and two female inhumations. Two of the deceased were placed on a north-south axis, contrary to the more common east-west axis. The three gold death masks are the par excellence male burial accoutrements. One male burial also had a gold breastplate. This grave contained precious gold, silver and stone vases, ritual rhytons (libation vases), either with intricate decoration, or in the shape of animals, large bronze vessels and numerous weapons, including a beautiful dagger with an inlaid lion hunt scene. The deceased were adorned with gold diadems, numerous pieces of gold jewelry, a variety of cut-out foil ornaments, and belts or straps.
Shaft Grave V
It contained three male burials. Two of the deceased wore gold death-masks, one of which is known as the “Mask Of Agamemnon”, a conventional name, since it is dated four hundred years earlier than the Trojan War. The grave gifts included gold breastplates, elaborate bronze swords and daggers with inlaid decoration, gold and silver vessels, an ostrich egg rhyton with applied faïence dolphins, and a wooden hexagonal pyxis with gold revetment. There was less gold jewelry than in the female graves, but a great number of amber beads.


Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, Mycenae, 16th century BC (General Photo of the  Southward face of the window)

Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, Mycenae, 16th century BC (General Photo of the Southward face of the window)
Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, Mycenae, 16th century BC (General Photo of the  Northward face of the window)

Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, Mycenae, 16th century BC (General Photo of the Northward face of the window)
Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, Mycenae, 16th century BC (General Photo of the  Westward face of the window)

Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, Mycenae, 16th century BC (General Photo of the Westward face of the window)
Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, Mycenae, 16th century BC (General Photo of the  Eastward face of the window)

Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Gold and silver tableware from Graves IV and V, Mycenae, 16th century BC (General Photo of the Eastward face of the window)


Behind the exhibits, and through the glass, part of "Finds from Grave V" window is visible
313. Gold cup with repoussé band of leaves. Grave IV

313. Gold cup with repoussé band of leaves. Grave IV
351. Gold goblet with repoussé flowers. Grave IV

351. Gold goblet with repoussé flowers. Grave IV
390. Silver goblet with applied gold representation of an altar with branches. Grave IV

390. Silver goblet with applied gold representation of an altar with branches. Grave IV


The gold nails used to attach the handle are still preserved.
391. Small gold amphora with lid. Grave IV

391. Small gold amphora with lid. Grave IV
392, 393. Gold cups with horizontal grooves. Grave IV

392, 393. Gold cups with horizontal grooves. Grave IV
392. Gold cup with horizontal grooves. Grave IV

392. Gold cup with horizontal grooves. Grave IV
412. Gold stemmed cup with added straps connecting the handles and base. Grave IV.

412. Gold stemmed cup with added straps connecting the handles and base. Grave IV.


Two doves sit on the rim. This vessel is conventionally dubbed 'the cup of Nestor' after Homer's description of the cup, which belonged to Nestor, the king of Pylos, in the Iliad.
440. Gold kantharos with two tall handles. Grave IV

440. Gold kantharos with two tall handles. Grave IV
628. Gold cup decorated with arches. Grave V

628. Gold cup decorated with arches. Grave V
656. Gold goblet with a representation of running lions. Grave V

656. Gold goblet with a representation of running lions. Grave V
786, 787. Silver cup with gold-plated rim and handle, both decorated with leaves. Grave V

786, 787. Silver cup with gold-plated rim and handle, both decorated with leaves. Grave V
786, 787. Silver cup with gold-plated rim and handle, both decorated with leaves. Grave V

786, 787. Silver cup with gold-plated rim and handle, both decorated with leaves. Grave V
855. Silver jug with elegant decoration of spirals and arches.

855. Silver jug with elegant decoration of spirals and arches.
427. Gold goblet with one handle. Grave IV.

427. Gold goblet with one handle. Grave IV.

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