Part I. The Third Kilometre Cemetery

Abstract

In 1899 during his excavations Tsountas found three rock-cut chamber tombs (Tomb 102, the Fig Tree Tomb, and another, fig. 1) on the west side of the carriage road just to the south of the Treasury of Atreus. In 1904 Bosanquet published the goldwork and other small objects from Tomb 102, together with one of the vases. It is to be hoped that Tsountas will soon be able to publish the rest of the pottery of that tomb and the contents of the others. In 1921 we made trial trenches on the slopes on both sides of the road, and found three similar rock-cut chamber tombs, the positions of which are shown on the accompanying sketch plan, fig. 1. As these tombs lie on either side of the third kilometre stone of the road, we have for the sake of convenience called this the Third Kilometre Cemetery to distinguish it from the other groups of tombs that surround Mycenae. Tombs 502 and 504 were both excavated in 1921; Tomb 505 was begun in 1921 but, owing to difficulties caused by the dangerous state of the doorway, the chamber was not completely cleared till 1922.