CLASSICS 2B03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Corbel Arch, Cyclopean Masonry, Atreus
2 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Excavations of graves - two cemeteries have been found on site of mycenae. Composed of 6 shaft grave (pits dug in the earth) that contains about 19 different bodies. Thought to be family tombs, for the ruling elite, aristocracy. Wealth of finds within - gold jewelry, cups, gold and silver bowls, rings and other jewelry. Grave goods to be carried into the afterlife. What were the conditions that led to this degree of wealth. Mycenaeans were especially good at metalworking shown by bowls, rings, cups. Tombs - marked by vertical slab marking grave called a stele. One in grave circle a - warrior in chariot central register, possibly indicates male burial, warrior defender. Representation leads us to think that this culture valued warrior status. Sheets of gold hammered out to depict individual within. Women didn"t get funerary mask - only men. Again, may be indication of elevated warrior status.
