Definition: The archaeological site of Mycenae, located on the steep slopes of the island of Euboea in Greece, was part of the Aegean cultures of the Argolid. First occupied in the Neolithic period approximately 6500 BC, but reached its heyday during the Late Bronze Age, ca. 1350-1200 BC. Mycenae was a fortified city during this period, and, according to Homer was the capital of King Agamemnon.
The palace complex at Mycenae included shrines and temples, but also granaries, guardrooms, and a few private dwellings. Important archaeological components of the site include Grave Circle A and the Lion Gate.
Archaeologists who have taken a whack at the excavations include Heinrich Schliemann, Christos Tsountas, Alan Wace, and most recently, Spiridon Iavokides.
The palace complex at Mycenae included shrines and temples, but also granaries, guardrooms, and a few private dwellings. Important archaeological components of the site include Grave Circle A and the Lion Gate.
Archaeologists who have taken a whack at the excavations include Heinrich Schliemann, Christos Tsountas, Alan Wace, and most recently, Spiridon Iavokides.
Sources
Burke, Brendan 2005 Materialization of Mycenaean Ideology and the Ayia Triada Sarcophagus. American Journal of Archaeology 109(3):403-422.
Bendall, Lisa M. 2005 Studies in Mycenaean Inscriptions and Dialect, 1980-1997. American Journal of Archaeology 109(1):91-94.
Cosmopoulos, Michael B. 2006 The Political Landscape of Mycenaean States: A-pu2 and the Hither Province of Pylos. American Journal of Archaeology 110(2):205-228.
Finn, Christine 2002 A little souvenir: The Marquess and the Mycenaean columns. Oxford Journal of Archaeology 21(1):1-12.
Mycenae (Perseus Project).
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
Also Known As: Mykina, Mikenes
