Located not far from the ruins of Mycenae is a spectacular tomb.
The tomb itself is known by one of two names, either the Treasury of Atreus (the father of Agamemnon) or the Tomb of Agamemnon. Both of these are unlikely of course; the association with both characters dates from the the 18th Century A.D. and the 2nd Century A.D. traveler Pausanias believed both kings were buried in the ruins of Mycenae itself.
The tomb type is referred to as at tholos, a particular type of tomb consisting of a circular burial chamber and a corbelled dome (a corbel, I just learned, is a type of construction where the piece bears the weight of the pieces above it). It is the largest dome structure prior to the Roman period of history, and remains the largest example of a corbelled dome in the world.
This door led to a series of side chambers, possibly for burials.
Who was it built for? We have not a clue. That secret the tomb holds within its silences and ascending rock faces.
More information is here. It is a fascinating journey into the specifics of the tomb and what we know - and do not know.
What an interesting structure. Of course, it's hard not to wonder about it and speculate.
ReplyDeleteIt is unique in my experience Leigh. The fact that the whole thing was essentially underground made it more so.
DeleteAn amazing amount of effort in that construction with Roman concrete how far off? Good photos there TB.
ReplyDeleteNylon12 - At least a thousand years or more before the great constructions of Rome.
DeleteI do not often include people in my photos, but in this case they were very helpful for scale. Standing in the center looking up was very humbling.