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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 / Finds from Grave III, 16th century BC (Window 1)

MYCENAE’S GRAVE CIRCLE A

Once part of a large cemetery outside the acropolis walls, Grave Circle A, was discovered within the Mycenaean citadel by Heinrich Schliemann, who excavated it in 1876, under the supervision of the Greek Ephorate of Antiquities.

Grave Circle A comprises six rectangular vertical shaft graves, which measure from 3.00 by 3.50 meters (9 by 10.5 ft) to 4.50 by 6.40 meters (13.5 by 19.2 ft). These shaft graves consist of two parts: the main shaft itself, which is cut into the bed-rock, and a larger pit on top of the very grave and surrounding it. After the grave goods were deposited in the main shaft, a wood or flagstone cover, supported by the shafts sides, was set in place and the larger pit was filled with earth.

The tombs in Grave Circle A contained a total of nineteen burials: nine men, eight women and two infants. With the exception of Grave II, which contained a single burial, all of the other graves contained from two to five inhumations. The deceased were placed on their backs, generally on an east-west axis. Schliemann cleared Graves I to V, and, one year later, Ephor Stamatakis excavated Grave VI. The pottery finds from Graves I, II, III and VI indicate a range of dates from the end of the Middle Helladic Period to the Late Helladic IIA Period, that is, from the 16th to the early 15th century BC.

The amazing wealth of the grave gifts reveals both the high social rank and the martial spirit of the deceased: gold jewelry and vases, a large number of decorated swords and other bronze objects, and artifacts made of imported materials, such as amber, lapis lazuli, faïence items and ostrich eggs. All of these, together with a small but characteristic group of pottery vessels, confirm Mycenae’s importance during this period and justify Homer’s designation of Mycenae as “rich in gold”.

The discovery of Grave Circle A startled the entire world with its momentous finds. It brought to light a great and hitherto unknown civilization, and paved the way for the study of Greek Prehistory. The excavation of Mycenae expanded Schliemann’s fame and gave him the title of the “father of the Mycenaean archaeology”.

SHAFT GRAVE III
Shaft Grave III, the so-called “Grave of Women”, contained three female and two infant interments. The women were literally covered with gold jewelry and wore massive gold diadems, while the infants were overlaid with gold foil. A great number of gold roundels and other gold cut-out foils in various shapes with repoussé decoration were initially embroidered onto, either the deceased persons’ clothes, or their shrouds. The jewelry included large silver and bronze pins with rock-crystal heads or with gold ornaments and sheathing, a necklace of amber beads, gold earrings, and gold seals engraved with hunting or dueling scenes. Miniature gold vessels, faïence vessels and gold scales were also found.


Athens National Archaeological Museum: Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Finds from Grave III, Mycenae, 16th century BC (Genaral Photo of Window 1)

Athens National Archaeological Museum: Gallery IV / Grave Circle A / Finds from Grave III, Mycenae, 16th century BC (Genaral Photo of Window 1)
Athens National Archaeological Museum: Exhibit 1. An impressive gold diadem with repoussé rosettes and thin sheets applied at the top.

Athens National Archaeological Museum: Exhibit 1. An impressive gold diadem with repoussé rosettes and thin sheets applied at the top.
2. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

2. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
2. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

2. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
4. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

4. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
4. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

4. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
6. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

6. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
8. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

8. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
10. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

10. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
11. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

11. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
11. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

11. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
12. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

12. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
13. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

13. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
14. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

14. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
16. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

16. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
18. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

18. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs

20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs


2, 4, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 18, 20. Gold roundels with repoussé motifs: butterfly, octopus, leaf, rosette, spirals and whorls. The tiny holes along the edge indicate that most of these roundels were sewn onto fabric.
121, 77-78. Gold pendants

121, 77-78. Gold pendants


121. Gold leaf-shaped pendant with suspension wire, 77-78. Gold pendants in the shape of an acorn (symbol of bounty) and of a cocoon (symbol of rebirth), hanging from a chain and Item 91, shown in a different photo.
77. Gold pendant in the shape of an acorn (symbol of bounty) hanging from a chain.

77. Gold pendant in the shape of an acorn (symbol of bounty) hanging from a chain.
78. Gold pendant in the shape of a cocoon (symbol of rebirth) hanging from a chain.

78. Gold pendant in the shape of a cocoon (symbol of rebirth) hanging from a chain.
22. Triangular gold cut-outs with repoussé spirals for the adornment of rich garments.

22. Triangular gold cut-outs with repoussé spirals for the adornment of rich garments.
22. Triangular gold cut-outs with repoussé spirals. More exhibits

22. Triangular gold cut-outs with repoussé spirals. More exhibits
15. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the heads of elaborate pins.

15. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the heads of elaborate pins.
86. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the head of elaborate pins.

86. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the head of elaborate pins.
87. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the head of elaborate pins.

87. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the head of elaborate pins.
88. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the head of elaborate pins.

88. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the head of elaborate pins.
15, 25. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the heads of elaborate pins.

15, 25. Gold floral ornaments of overlapping sheets, perhaps the heads of elaborate pins.
81-82. Gold balances, believed to symbolize the weighting of the soul in the Underworld. A butterfly (symbol of the soul) is depicted on the disks.

81-82. Gold balances, believed to symbolize the weighting of the soul in the Underworld. A butterfly (symbol of the soul) is depicted on the disks.
91. Gold balance, believed to symbolize the weighting of the soul in the Underworld.

91. Gold balance, believed to symbolize the weighting of the soul in the Underworld.
146. A unique gold covering for the body and the face of an infant, consisting of pieces of gold foil.

146. A unique gold covering for the body and the face of an infant, consisting of pieces of gold foil.


A distinctive detail is the addition of the ring-shaped earrings. The second similar cover is simpler.
The sex of the children has not been determined, but since adult masks occur with male burials only, it would seem likely to be male in both cases
146. The gold covering of the previous photo in a stand-alone photo.

146. The gold covering of the previous photo in a stand-alone photo.
146. The second gold covering in a stand-alone photo.

146. The second gold covering in a stand-alone photo.

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