Of all monuments in Europe at this time, tholos were most remarkable. (Monkeyshines 6) The largest tholos tomb, also known as a beehive tomb, found at Mycenae is Treasury of Atreus. It is carved out of a hillside and has a 120 foot-long passage (also known as a dromos). The Triangular space seen above the doorway of the Treasury of Atreus was, at one time, plugged by a stone (see figures 1, 2, 3). (Harper 57, 58) Due to grave robbers and time, a lot to be seen of these tombs were either stolen or destroyed. If time were not an issue, and greediness were not to ever impose on human actions, it is almost fact that we would know more about the Mycanae civilization today. (Monkeyshines 7).
Due to time, all of the Cretan villages were covered by the earth with dirt and debris. Discoveries were made by actual digging away of the earth. Archaeologists by the name of Arthur Evans pursued in the first dig of Crete in the year 1900. Since then, utensils, urns, and complete villages have been recovered. Findings proved that these were people of the Bronze Age. It also brought to us, more meaning and detail behind the lives of the people who had lived during this era. This was a time that had begun around 3000 B.C. and ended only at 1200 B.C. Only until recent diggings, have we been able to uncover the great mystery of burial rituals that the Mycanae proceeded in. Also found were seven chamber tombs. (Bronze 1) To be buried in a sarcophagus was the most common of the burial tombs (Bronze 2). These were hidden in a cemetery that dates back to 1370 up until the year 1200 B.C. (Bronze 1).
During the early Middle Helladic period, Mycanae buried their dead, each grave holding only that of one body. No furnishings were placed next to the body and graves .
were very simple. Simple, to this civilization, meant that graves were made up by four slabs standing in an upright position and covered by a roof slab (Mylonas 89).
Mycenaean Many similarities and differences exist between the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures. ... The Mycenaean government was very similar to that of the Minoans. ... The Mycenaean's used their skills in warfare to protect the land they occupied. ... Religion was not as important to the Minoans as it was the Mycenaean's. ... Wealthy Mycenaean people had special tombs built for them. ...
Also, there is the simple fact that each pharaoh's tomb was laden with things he was to take with him to the next life. Literally all of his possessions, even carvings meant to act as servants, were placed in the tomb. ... The lyre was used in ceremonies and was eventually buried in the king's tomb, proving its importance. ... But possibly none found were greater than King Tut's tomb. ... AEGEAN AND MYCENAEAN Two of the myths that everyone knows are the myth of the Minotaur and the myth of the Trojan War. ...
Each Egyptian ruler was obsessed with constructing a tomb for himself more impressive and longer lasting than that of his predecessors. ... However beneath the Cheops pyramid, a false tomb chamber was built to confuse thieves that would try to steal the tombs treasures. ... As tombs, they represent the life after death available to the king as living god. ... The great monuments of Mycenaean architecture were all built between 1400 and 1200 B.C. ... The great achievements of the Mycenaean Civilization, the palaces with their elaborate fresco decoration, the monumental fortified citadels...
1. Cuneiform - Cuneiform is defined as a system of writing developed by the Sumerians that consisted of wedge-shaped impressions made by a reed stylus on clay tablets. The earliest use of cuneiform writing dates back to early Mesopotamia around 3000 B.C.E. Sumerian writing ranged from concrete objec...
Body modification and adornment is a universal culture. All civilizations have attempted to change their body in order to fulfill their cultural construct of beauty, religious and/or social obligations. Body adornment and modification is a very broad subject, ranging from ceremonial body paint to th...
Tombs were decorated with depictions of the deceased at his funerary meal, activities of the estate and countryside, and the anything necessary to sustain the spirit. ... During this period, the Greeks built a temple (to house the gods) with plans derived from the megaron found in Mycenaean palaces, embellishing it with an exterior colonnade. ...
Rock-Cut Tombs (Beni Hasan, Egypt) 90 66 Cliff walls hollowed out to reveal small burial chambers. ... VOCABULARY Amarna style: Art created during the reign of Akhenaton, which features a more relaxed figure style than in Old and Middle Kingdom art Engaged column: a column that is not freestanding but attached to a wall Hieroglyphics: Egyptian writing using symbols or pictures as characters Hypostyle: a hall in an Egyptian temple that has a roof supported by a dense thicket of columns In situ: a Latin expression that means that something is in its original location Ka: the soul, or spiritual e...
