Ancient Hellas: Archaeologists Come Across Bronze Age Mycenaean Tombs In Peloponnese, Greece 1600-1100 BC

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Tombs dated back to the Mycenaean period 1600-1100 BC found at the town of Kiveri in the region of Argolis. According to the Greek mythology, Danaos, the founder of the city of Argos, one of the foremost Mycenaean cities of Peloponnese, had anchored at the small port town of Kiveri. The ancient temple of Genessios Poseidon was in the area and a series of Mycenaean tombs and remains of an ancient settlement were discovered at the site of Aghios Dimitrios. Following an initiative of the local authorities, (the village's president in cooperation with Argos mayor) the tombs will be restored and promoted with aim to become accessible to the public.

Last week we talked about how the iconic Acropolis of Athens housed an impressive megaron (palace complex) from the Mycenaean era, circa 1200 BC. And now archaeologists have come across Mycenaean tombs in the Argolis region (near present-day coastal Kiveri) of the Peloponnese peninsula, thus suggesting the far-reaching influence of this thriving Bronze Age culture of Greece.

The burial scope dates from around 1600-1100 BC, which corresponds to both mythological and historical aspects of the Mycenaean civilization. Pertaining to the first part, accounts of legend talk about how Kiveri (or ancient Apovathmi) was established circa 1600 BC by unknown invaders. Historical analysis sort-of complements this ‘legendary’ ambit, with evidence suggesting that Kiveri was inhabited at least since antiquity. And now these tombs shed light into the Mycenaean sphere of influence in the coastal regions of Peloponnese.

Interestingly enough, researchers have also come across an ancient temple of Genessios Poseidon in the proximate area. To that end, from the perspective of religion, the intriguing factor pertains to how some of the deities of the later Olympic pantheon were already introduced centuries earlier by the Mycenaeans. It is also fascinating to note that the Mycenaeans were the ones to create the first written records of the Greek language, with their Linear B syllabic script. Unfortunately, the cultural flame of Mycenaean Greece was extinguished in mysterious circumstances, with pertinent theories ranging from external invasions to even climatic changes.

Now coming back to these Bronze Age tombs in question, the good news is – the local authorities are already taking precautions to preserve the ancient site. Furthermore, they are also looking forth to make the complex accessible to the general public in the near future.