Two Unlooted Mycenaean Chamber Tombs Unearthed In Southern Greece
Aerial view of the road and the chamber of the two tombs in the eastern part of the
Mycenaean cemetery at Aidonia, along with the tombs from the old excavation
[Credit: Ephorate of Antiquities of Corinth]
Greece's culture ministry says two intact chamber tombs dating from 1400 to 1200 B.C. have been unearthed near the southern town of Nemea at a site already known for its cluster of tombs, most of which had been looted before their discovery.
Newly-discovered chamber tomb with fallen roof and two pits
[Credit: Ephorate of Antiquities of Corinth]
The ministry said Sunday that the newly found tombs include five full burials and bones from 14 individuals whose remains had been transferred from other tombs.
The dromos and sealed entrance of the newly excavated tomb
[Credit: Ephorate of Antiquities of Corinth]
Excavation at the Aidonia burial site began in the late 1970s after the site containing tombs from 1700-1100 B.C. had already been extensively looted, probably in 1976-77. Findings included a trove of ancient jewelry. Several items of jewelry that appeared in a 1993 auction in New York turned out to be from the same site and were subsequently returned to Greece.
False-necked amphoras (stirrup jars) found in the tombs
[Credit: Ephorate of Antiquities of Corinth]
Excavations resumed in 2016, but, meanwhile, more looting had taken place at the site.
Source: [AP/Kathimerini]