184-197

Excavation in the mycenaean cemetery of Tanagra in Boeotia

Αρχαιολογικά χρονικά

• Σπυρόπουλος, Θεόδωρος Γ.

A brief account of the first systematic excavation carried out in the Mycenaean Cemetery of Tanagra in 1968 was published in this periodical ( see AAA II ( 1969 ), p. 20 ff.).Last year I undertook further research in the place, stimulated by Prof. Marinatos, which has proved extremely fruitful and important, beyond any expectation. The excavation was extensive and brought to light 32 Chamber Tombs, the majority being intact ( fi g s. 1-3, 14). As is well known, painted larnakes form the peculiar and characteristic feature of this Necropolis. Fourteen larnakes were found this year in an intact Chamber Tomb ( No. 6 ) (figs. 1-2, 4-7), ten of which are decorated with friezes of mourning figures, mostly women, in outline with interior details, and with other decorative patterns ( spirals, ivy leaves, checker board, etc. ) ( f i g s. 9 - 13 ). The colours used are black and red,and the background is usually painted with a light, white slip, which flakes very easily.Over a dozen examples of a new type of figurine were collected from the larnakes of this remarkable tomb (see fig. 8). They are based upon the symbol of the double horns of consecration and have the well known body of the Mycenaean female figurines of the Φ type, which is in turn surmounted by a curious animal with wings and a long tail. In some instances the heads of these hybrid animals are perforated near the eyes, so that they could be hung; in other cases (fig. 8 ) the base terminates below in a small projection which was inserted into a corresponding cavity in the covering of the larnax.An exceptional monument was found in another Chamber Tomb ( No. 22 ), with unique representations, reproduced here in figs. 14-17.A large number of other finds came to light from the excavated Chamber Tombs of Tanagra, including some hundred pieces of pottery, figurines, and glass-paste beads. In future issues we will comment on all these in detail.The digging of last year has further proved that the Chamber Tombs of Tanagra date to the closing years of LH IIIB and the early years of the LH IIIC period.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

νεκροταφεία, μυκηναϊκή εποχή, Βοιωτία

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