Mycenae Excavation Records
The Mycenae Excavation Records consist primarily of original site plans, drawings and watercolours of artefacts, as well as a few notebooks and photographs, produced during the 1920-23 British School at Athens excavations at Mycenae led by then BSA Director, Alan Wace. Some of the areas explored in these early excavations include the Palace, Grave Circle, Lion Gate, Granary, and the Ramp House as well as numerous tombs including the Treasury of Atreus, Tomb of the Genii, Tomb of Aegisthus, and the Kalkani and Third Kilometre Cemeteries.
Most of these documents were deposited at the BSA by Alan Wace and Piet de Jong after the 1920-23 excavations while others were deposited in the 1930s either after they were published or after they returned to Athens from the 1936 exhibition, ‘British Archaeological Discoveries in Greece and Crete, 1886-1936’ hosted at Burlington House (Royal Academy of Arts) in London. Two notebooks by Winifred Lamb were added to the collection as part of the Lamb bequest in 1963 and two notebooks by Walter A. Heurtley were donated by Sylvia Benton in 1972. Additionally, some of the watercolour drawings, previously framed by Elizabeth B. French, were left to the British School at Athens in 1994 following her tenure as the BSA Director.
Watercolour of three fragments, decorated with stripes of light and dark blue and dots of gold, from a fresco in the Ramp House.
Watercolour drawing of three fragments, decorated with stripes of light and dark blue and dots of white, from a fresco in the Ramp House.
Watercolour drawing showing squares 1a & 2b of the North side floor of the palace. The surviving fragments are identifiable by their much brighter colors. These squares are also represented in MYC 3/2/12, MYC 3/2/25, & MYC 3/2/26
Ink drawing showing columns 1-5 of the North side floor of the palace. Only the surviving fragments are included. Squares 1a & 2b are also represented in MYC 3/2/11. These columns are also represented in MYC 3/2/25 & 3/2/26.
Ink drawing showing columns 6-11 of the North side floor of the palace. Only the surviving fragments are included. Column 6 is also represented in MYC 3/2/26. Columns 7-10 are represented in MYC 3/2/28. All columns are also represented in MYC 3/2/27
Watercolour drawing of fresco fragments displaying men in athletic competition and bulls from the Ramp House. The individual fragments are numbered (1-7, 20). This is the final version from which MYC 4/05 was printed. Individual fragments are also included as MYC 3/2/01 & MYC 3/2/02
Watercolour drawing of fresco fragments displaying women, specifically their dresses, from the Ramp House. The individual fragments are numbered (8-10, 23-25). This is the final version from which MYC 4/01 & MYC 4/06 were printed. Individual fragments are also included as MYC 3/2/03 & MYC 3/2/04.
Watercolour drawing of fresco fragments displaying plants with blue leaves from the Ramp House. The individual fragments are numbered (11-19, 21-22). This is the final water-colour from which MYC 4/02 & MYC 4/07 were printed. Fragment #13 is included in MYC 3/2/05.
Watercolour drawing of fresco fragments with various plant designs (rosettes, petals, leaves, and stems) from the Palace. The individual fragments are numbered (1-8). The fragments were found in the following locations: 1, 2, from east lobby; 3-5, pithos area; 6, guardroom; 7, porch; 8, megaron. Fragment #1 is also included as MYC 3/2/18.
Watercolour of fresco fragment #1 displaying leaves and stems from the Palace. This fragment was found in the east lobby. This fragment is also included in MYC 3/2/17
Ink drawing of a fresco fragment, showing part a helmet, found in the Megaron of the Palace.
Watercolour drawing of fresco fragments (numbered a-p), found by Tsountas in 1886, showing various body parts, jewellry, and clothes. The fragments were probably from a fresco of women in procession.
Watercolour drawing of a painted stucco floor displaying blue and white rosettes with red centers. It was found in Palace, Room of the Throne. There is a scale for reference and minor annotations.
Watercolour drawing of a painted stucco floor, found in the Vestibule of the Palace, with red, white, and blue zig-zag lines with white dots. The same stucco is represented in MYC 3/2/23.
Watercolour drawing of a painted stucco floor, from the Vestibule of the Palace, with red, white, and blue zig-zag lines with white dots. The same stucco is represented in MYC 3/2/22. It is labelled “202” on the front with the annotations, 'Miss Gomme drawing', 'incorrect','useless'.
Watercolour drawing of a painted stucco floor, from the dado of the Palace's Porch, with multiple half rosette patterns. It is labelled “90(a)” on the front and “164” on the back.
Watercolour drawing showing columns 1-5 of the North side floor of the palace. Only the surviving fragments are included. Squares 1a & 2b are also represented in MYC 3/2/11. These columns are also represented in MYC 3/2/12 & MYC 3/2/26.
Watercolour drawing showing columns 1-6 of the North side floor of the palace. Only the surviving fragments are included. Squares 1a & 2b are also represented in MYC 3/2/11. These columns are also represented in MYC 3/2/12 & 3/2/25. Colum 6 is also represented in MYC 3/2/13 & MYC 3/2/27.
Watercolour drawing showing columns 6-11 of the North side floor of the palace. Only the surviving fragments are included. Column 6 is also represented in MYC 3/2/26. Columns 7-10 are represented in MYC 3/2/28. All columns are also represented in MYC 3/2/13
Watercolour drawing showing columns 7-10 of the North side floor of the palace. Only the surviving fragments are included. All columns are also represented in MYC 3/2/13 & MYC 3/2/27.
Watercolour drawing showing wave patterns painted on successive layers of stucco from the Palace Hearth.
Watercolour drawing showing wave, stripe, and spiral patterns painted on successive layers of stucco from the Palace Hearth.
Watercolour drawing of a fresco showing a building of several stories with women either standing in the windows or outside. The fresco was badly damaged by fire and found on the floor of the Megaron in the Palace. This piece displays segments A-F, while sections G & H are displayed in MYC 3/2/32. All sections are also represented in MYC 3/2/33.
Watercolour drawing of a fresco showing a building of several stories with women either standing in the windows or outside. The fresco was badly damaged by fire and found on the floor of the Megaron in the Palace. This piece displays segments G & H, while sections A-F are displayed in MYC 3/2/31. All sections are also represented in MYC 3/2/33.
Ink drawing of a fresco representing a building of several stories with women either standing in the windows or outside. The fresco has been badly damaged by fire and was found on the floor of the Megaron in the Palace. This piece displays all segments, of which A-F are represented in MYC 3/2/31 and G & H are represented in MYC 3/2/32.
Watercolour drawing with an proposed reconstruction of a fresco with a spiral and lotus design, found by Tsountas near the Western portal. MYC 3/2/36 is included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 113.
Watercolour drawing of proposed reconstruction of a fresco frieze of warriors and horses made during the BSA excavations in Mycenae, 1920-1923. The actual pieces of the frieze were found by Christos Tsountas in the Megaron during his excavations there in 1886. This drawing is also included in 1936 Exhibition collection as: 1936 EXH - 112.
Watercolour drawings showing painted stucco from or near the Palace Megaron: a. wave patterns: hearth, first, second, fifth, sixth layers. b. step of painted stucco found near the Western Portal. c. chariot, reconstructed from fragments of stucco, probably found in the Megaron. MYC 3/2/37/1 – MYC 3/2/37/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 115.
Watercolour drawing of painted stucco from the 6th layer of the hearth in the Palace Megaron displaying red and black wave patterns with black and red rosettes, respectively. MYC 3/2/37/1 – MYC 3/2/37/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 115.
Watercolour drawing of painted stucco from the 1st & 2nd layers of the hearth in the Palace Megaron displaying a smooth red wave pattern and sharp red and blue wave patterns. MYC 3/2/37/1 – MYC 3/2/37/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 115.
Watercolour drawing of painted stucco from the 5th layer of the hearth in the Palace Megaron displaying a red wave pattern and blue wave pattern with a red rosette separating the waves. MYC 3/2/37/1 – MYC 3/2/37/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 115.
Watercolour drawing of painted stucco step found near the western portal of the Palace displaying a pattern of spirals and stripes. MYC 3/2/37/1 – MYC 3/2/37/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 115.
Watercolour drawing of proposed reconstruction of fresco fragments, found in the Palace, showing a chariot. MYC 3/2/37/1 – MYC 3/2/37/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 115.
Watercolour drawing of painted stucco, found near the Grand Staircase, showing a blue rosette flower. MYC 3/2/38 is included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 114b
Watercolour and ink drawing of a clay seal found in the Rhyton well. Drawing shows impression of the seal as well as a section of it. There are minor annotations written in pencil.
B/W ink drawings of gold workings and other small ornaments from the Treasury of Atreus, labeled MYC 3/3/03/1 & MYC 3/3/03/2, respectively. MYC 3/3/03/1 & MYC 3/3/03/2 are glued to the same piece of poster board.
B/W ink drawing of gold leaf pieces of various designs, as well as gold beads. MYC 3/3/03/1 & MYC 3/3/03/2 are glued to the same piece of poster board.
B/W ink drawings of gold leaf rosettes, spherical and cylindrical beads of dark blue glass paste, as well as horns, either sheep or goat, cut into the shape of boar tusks.
B/W ink drawings of shells carved in marble, both snail shells and cockle shells, various beads and ornaments from necklaces, and a small rosette. MYC 3/3/03/1 & MYC 3/3/03/2 are glued to the same piece of poster board.
Watercolour drawing of a bronze nail with gold foil attached, carvings of cockle and snail shells, beads of various sizes and designs, a sample of gold foil, and potsherds from L.H. III. There are minor annotations written in pencil.
B/W ink drawings of some of the same items from MYC 3/3/04 including the bronze nail with gold foil attached, carvings of cockle and snail shells, beads of various sizes and designs, and potsherds from L.H. III. However, these items are displayed in a different order which is not identical to BSA 25 pg. 357 fig. 76. There are also minor annotations written in pencil.
B/W ink drawing of a plaque shnowing two Genii pouring libations from beaked ewers over a square pillar. The Genii may possibly be related to Egyptian hippopotamus or crocodile divinities, with the dots down the spine possibly suggesting a crocodile. Found in the Tomb of the Genii.
B/W ink drawing of two Genii pouring libations from beaked ewers over a column adorned with a long sacral fillet hanging down on either side. The Genii may possibly be related to Egyptian hippopotamus or crocodile divinities, with the dots down the spine possibly suggesting a crocodile. Found in the Tomb of the Genii.
B/W ink drawing of plaques embossed with various designs, beads varying widely in size and design, rosettes, and other ornaments.
Watercolour drawings of beads made of faience, glass, and stone, terracotta whorls, and boar tusks.
Watercolour drawings and printed plate showing objects found in Tomb of Clytemnestra and int tombs from the Third Kilometre and Kalkani Cemeteries. The objects consist of seals, gems, stone beads, gold work, and arrow heads. MYC 3/3/10/1 - MYC 3/3/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 116
Watercolour drawing of beads of carnelian, amethyst faience and glass (1600-1400 B.C.), from Tombs 518 and 529: L.H. I and II. MYC 3/3/10/1 - MYC 3/3/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 116
Watercolour drawing of wing of ivory inlaid with blue paste, and beads of lapis lazuli, carnelian, faience and glass; from the woman's grave in the entrance passage of the "Tomb of Clytemnestra" (1400-1300 BC). MYC 3/3/10/1 - MYC 3/3/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 116
Watercolour drawing of gold rosette, bronze arrowhead, and beads of bronze, carnelian onyx, amethyst and glass; Tomb 515: L.H. II (1500-1400 B.C.). MYC 3/3/10/1 - MYC 3/3/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 116
Watercolour drawings of scarabs of reign of Amenhotep III (c. 1411-1380 B.C.); beads of amber, faience, glass, carnelian, onyx, crystal, agate and steatite; from Tomb 526, beginning of L.H. III, 14th century B.C. MYC 3/3/10/1 - MYC 3/3/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 116