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 drawing of Late Helladic III vases from Granary, Kalkani Cemetery, or Third Kilometer Cemetery. MYC 3/1/26/1 - MYC 3/1/26/3 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 111
Watercolour drawing of Late Helladic III vase from Granary, Kalkani Cemetery, or Third Kilometer Cemetery. It is labeled “5” on the front. MYC 3/1/26/1 - MYC 3/1/26/3 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 111
Watercolour drawing of Late Helladic III vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 521. The bottom part of the drawing shows an enlarged version of the iconography on the vase which shows abstract human and animal figures. It is labeled “1” on the front. MYC 3/1/26/1 - MYC 3/1/26/3 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 111H
Watercolour drawings of L.H. I Vases from Tombs 517 & 518 in the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/27/1 - MYC 3/1/27/3 are all included on a single plate
Watercolour drawing of Late Helladic I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 518, with characteristic designs of Late Helladic I (1600-1500 B.C.) MYC 3/1/27/1 - MYC 3/1/27/3 are all included on a single plate
Watercolour drawing of Late Helladic I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 517, with characteristic designs of Late Helladic I (1600-1500 B.C.) MYC 3/1/27/1 - MYC 3/1/27/3 are all included on a single plate
Watercolour drawing of Late Helladic I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 517, with characteristic designs of Late Helladic I (1600-1500 B.C.) MYC 3/1/27/1 - MYC 3/1/27/3 are all included on a single plate
Watercolour drawings of vases from Tombs 515 in the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/28/1 - MYC 3/1/28/4 are all included on a single plate
Watercolour drawing of vase from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 515, including a display of the design on the bottom. MYC 3/1/28/1 - MYC 3/1/28/4 are all included on a single plate
Watercolour drawing of vase from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 515, including a display of the bottom design. MYC 3/1/28/1 - MYC 3/1/28/4 are all included on a single plate.
Watercolour drawing of vase from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 515. Display of the bottom is included as MYC 3/1/28/4. MYC 3/1/28/1 - MYC 3/1/28/4 are all included on a single plate
Watercolour drawing of vase from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 515. This only displays the bottom design. The vase itself is included as MYC 3/1/28/3. MYC 3/1/28/1 - MYC 3/1/28/4 are all included on a single plate
Watercolour drawing of two vases from the Kalkani Cemetery, tombs 530 & 532. These vases are MYC 3/1/29/1 & MYC 3/1/29/2, respectively
Watercolour drawing of albastron vase from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 530. This image displays both side and bottom views of the vase. The vase has a wheel pattern on the bottom with rosettes in between the handles and a palm design wrapping around. MYC 3/1/29/1 & MYC 3/1/29/2 are on a single plate
Watercolour drawing opf a hole-mouthed vase from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 532. This image only displays the side view of the vase. MYC 3/1/29/1 & MYC 3/1/29/2 are on a single plate
Watercolour drawing of three-handled amphora from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 518. This image only displays the side view of the vase.
Three watercolour drawings pasted on mount board depicting vases from Tombs 517, 518, & 527 of the Kalkani Cemetery. The individual drawings are numbered MYC 3/1/31/1 - MYC 3/1/31/3 and are ordered from left to right and top to bottom.
Watercolour drawing of LHII Jug from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 518. MYC 3/1/31/1 - MYC 3/1/31/3 are parts of MYC 3/1/31 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed.
Watercolour drawing of a jug from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 517. MYC 3/1/31/1 - MYC 3/1/31/3 are parts of MYC 3/1/31 and are pasted together on the same board which was previously framed.
Watercolour drawing of LHIII jug from the Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 527. MYC 3/1/31/1 - MYC 3/1/31/3 are parts of MYC 3/1/31 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed.
Six watercolour drawings of vases from tombs 516-518, 529, 533 at the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/32/1 - MYC 3/1/32/6 are parts of MYC 3/1/32 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed
Watercolour drawing showing the side view of a shallow saucer, no. 41 from Tomb 518 of the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/32/1 - MYC 3/1/32/6 are parts of MYC 3/1/32 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed.
Watercolour drawing showing the side and bottom of a shallow saucer from Tomb 517 of the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/32/1 - MYC 3/1/32/6 are parts of MYC 3/1/32 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed.
Watercolour drawing showing the side and bottom of a shallow saucer from Tomb 516 of the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/32/1 - MYC 3/1/32/6 are parts of MYC 3/1/32 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed.
Watercolour drawing showing the side of a shallow saucer, no. 39 from Tomb 518 of the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/32/1 - MYC 3/1/32/6 are parts of MYC 3/1/32 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed.
Watercolour drawing showing the side of a shallow saucer from Tomb 529 of the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/32/1 - MYC 3/1/32/6 are parts of MYC 3/1/32 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed.
Watercolour drawing showing the side of a shallow saucer from Tomb 533 of the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/32/1 - MYC 3/1/32/6 are parts of MYC 3/1/32 and are pasted together on the same mount board which was previously framed.
Four watercolour drawings of Early and Middle Helladic fragments found at the Grave Circle and Palace. The fragments shown in the two upper drawings are Early Helladic except (e) which is Middle Helladic. The patterned pieces were originally found by Stamatakes in 1877, rediscovered by the British School in the cellar of the Nauplia Museum, and identified by the Greek letters written on them in pencil. The bowl fragment with a flight of birds in the central drawing is dated to the Middle Helladic as are the three fragments shown in the drawing at the bottom albeit somewhat earlier. These drawings were originally included on an exhibition board for the BSA 1936 Exhibition at Burlington House, London. MYC 3/1/33/1 - MYC 3/1/33/4 are parts of MYC 3/33.
Watercolour drawing showing Early and Middle Helladic pottery fragments from strata at the foot of Great Ramp (A-G, J-K, L), Wall 63 (H), Test 62 (I) and S. of Grave Circle (E). This drawing was originally included on an exhibition board for the BSA 1936 Exhibition at Burlington House, London. MYC 3/1/33/1 - MYC 3/1/33/4 are parts of MYC 3/33. This was published at the top part of Plate XII, ABSA 25 (1921-23) along with MYC 3/1/33/4.
Watercolour drawing showing fragments of Early Helladic Pottery found in the Grave Circle by Stamatakes during his 1877 excavation. This drawing was originally included on an exhibition board for the BSA 1936 Exhibition at Burlington House, London. MYC 3/1/33/1 - MYC 3/1/33/4 are parts of MYC 3/33.
Watercolour drawing of a Middle Helladic fragment found in the pithos area of the Palace and decorated with birds in flight This drawing was originally included on an exhibition board for the BSA 1936 Exhibition at Burlington House, London. MYC 3/1/33/1 - MYC 3/1/33/4 are parts of MYC 3/33.
Watercolour drawing of Early Helladic pottery fragments from the strata of the foot of Great Ramp (M &N) and Test 62 (O). This drawing was originally included on an exhibition board for the BSA 1936 Exhibition at Burlington House, London. MYC 3/1/33/1 - MYC 3/1/33/4 are parts of MYC 3/33. This was published at the bottom part of Plate XII, ABSA 25 (1921-23) along with MYC 3/1/33/1.
Watercolour drawing of full cups and fragments of pottery from below the floor of the east lobby of the Palace's Grand Staircase. MYC 3/1/34/1 - MYC 3/1/34/4 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 107
Watercolour drawing of shallow spreading cup from below the floor of the east lobby of the Grand Staircase. MYC 3/1/34/1 - MYC 3/1/34/4 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 107
Watercolour drawing of cup decorated with spiral designs from below the floor of the east lobby of the Grand Staircase. MYC 3/1/34/1 - MYC 3/1/34/4 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 107
Watercolour drawing of Vaphio cup decorated with spiral designs from below the floor of the east lobby of the Grand Staircase. MYC 3/1/34/1 - MYC 3/1/34/4 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 107
Watercolour drawing of pottery fragments from cups with varying designs from below the floor of the east lobby of the Grand Staircase. MYC 3/1/34/1 - MYC 3/1/34/4 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 107
Watercolour drawing of pottery sherds, a jug, and whorl from the Tomb of Aegisthus and Tomb 515, Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawing of pottery fragments of palace style amphorae from the Tomb of Aegisthus. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawing of jardecorated with double axes from the Tomb of Aegisthus. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawing of a large bowl that is unidentified and without findspot. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawing of two fragments of funnel rhytons from the Tomb of Aegisthus. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawing of a spindle whorl from Tomb 515. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawing of a fragment of funnel rhyton from the Tomb of Aegisthus. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawing of a fragment from the Tomb of Aegisthus with fish scale pattern. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
B/W ink drawing of palace style amphorae from the Tomb of Aegisthus displaying an intricate pattern. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawing of a fragment from the Tomb of Aegisthus. MYC 3/1/35/1 - MYC 3/1/35/9 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 108
Watercolour drawings of L.H. II jugs, amphorae, alabastrons, cup, and rython from Tombs 515, 518, 529, & 532 of the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/1/36/1 - MYC 3/1/36/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 109.
Watercolour drawing of L.H. II alabastron with wave pattern from Tomb 529. MYC 3/1/36/1 - MYC 3/1/36/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 109.
Watercolour drawing of L.H. II ostrich egg rhyton from Tomb 518. MYC 3/1/36/1 - MYC 3/1/36/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 109.