Tholos tombs replaced the shaft grave as the burial of choice for the Mycenaean elite at the beginning of the Late Bronze Age. All lie outside the citadel, some close to the road leading into it, while others dot the hillside below it.

Archaeological examination shows the tombs — which survive in various states — seem to follow a common pattern. However, the best-preserved of the tombs, known as the treasury of Atreus, is unusual in several ways.

The Chronology of Tholoi

There are three groups of tholos tombs at Mycenae, all corresponding with the end of the use of shaft graves:

• Group I ( 1510-1460BC). This group includes the tombs known as the Cyclopean tomb, the Epano Phournos tomb and the Tomb of Aegisthus.
• Group II: (1460-1400BC). Includes the Panagia tomb, Kato Phournos tomb and the Lion Tomb
• Group III: (1400-1300BC). Includes the Tomb of the Genii, Treasury of Atreus and the Tomb of Clytemnestra.

The Treasury of Atreus

The Treasury of Atreus is the best preserved of the tholos tombs at Mycenae. Initially mislabelled as a treasury — hence its name — it was later established as a tomb by archaeologists.

The tomb was one of the last to be built, with pottery finds dating it to between 1250-1300BC. Its external entranceway is 36 metres long and lined with well-cut masonry. This entrance terminated at a pair of wooden double doors equipped with bronze fittings.

The doorframe consists of two columns of green lapis Lacedaemonius, topped with a triglyph and frieze of red porphyry. This covered an empty triangular space above the doorway’s lintel — a common design feature of tholos tombs and designed to relieve pressures in the structure.

The interior of the tomb measured 14.5m in diameter and 13.20m high. Rows of nail holes in the walls have led archaeologists to believe it may have been decorated with bronze rosettes or similar emblems.

The tomb has two unusual features. One is a side chamber hewn out of rock, leading off from the central constructed part of the tomb. The other is that there is no trace of any burials remaining. Perhaps this was why in classical times; the building was believed to be a storehouse for treasure rather than a tomb.

Resources

Gates, Charles (2003) Ancient Cities: The Archaeology of Urban Life in the Ancient Near East and Egypt, Greece and Rome (2003) Routledge: London and New York

Illustrated Dictionary of Archaeology (1977) Book Club Associates: London