Archaeologists Find Sword and Gold Jewelry in Ancient Mycenaean Warrior Tomb
Posted on October 26, 2015
Archaeologists have excavated the tomb of an ancient Mycenaean warrior at the Pylos site in Greece. A skeleton of an adult male was founded stretched out on his back in the grave with weapons to his left and jewelry to his right. There were also gold cups resting on his chest and stomach.
The weapons included a bronze sword with an ivory hilt covered in gold and a gold dagger. The hilt of the sword is pictured above. The jewelry included a gold necklace with two pendants, gold rings and thousands of beads.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati (UC) led the international team of archaeologists. UC's Shari Stocker, senior research associate in the Department of Classics, McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, said in a statement, "This previously unopened shaft grave of a wealthy Mycenaean warrior, dating back 3,500 years, is one of the most magnificent displays of prehistoric wealth discovered in mainland Greece in the past 65 years."
The tomb - known as a shaft tomb - was 5 feet deep, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. The team dug for about two weeks before they "hit bronze." The tomb also contained over 50 seal stones. The stones had intricate Minoan-style carvings showing goddesses, altars, reeds, lions and bulls.
The New York Times also published an article about the discovery that shows photographs of a bronze mirror and an ivory comb found at the rich site.