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 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 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 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 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
Printer’s proof of engraved seal-stones and gold rings (1500-110 B.C.): note especially the Goddess with the double axe and guardian lions. 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
Watercolour drawings and colour printed page of gold jewellery and other small finds from the Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/3/11/1 - MYC 3/3/11/7 are all included on a single plate.
Watercolour drawing of paste beads, glass beads, paste ornaments, ivory rosettes, and a bronze ring from tomb 523 (L.H. III). MYC 3/3/11/1 - MYC 3/3/11/7 are all included on a single plate.
Watercolour drawing of a gold bead, made in two pieces and soldered together, each half decorated with five granulated circlets, the centers of which were filled with blue paste. MYC 3/3/11/1 - MYC 3/3/11/7 are all included on a single plate.
Watercolour drawings of a gold strip, necklace, ornaments, and rosettes found in tomb 515. MYC 3/3/11/1 - MYC 3/3/11/7 are all included on a single plate.
Watercolour drawing of ivory rosettes, glass beads, a gold ring, and steatite whorls from tomb 513 (L.H. III). MYC 3/3/11/1 - MYC 3/3/11/7 are all included on a single plate.
Printer’s proof showing three ornaments consisting of gold and glass. It is labelled “Plate 1” on the upper right corner of the paper.
Watercolour drawing showing five pieces of gold jewellery. MYC 3/3/11/1 - MYC 3/3/11/7 are all included on a single plate.
Watercolour drawing of gold jewellery found in tomb 518 (L.H. II). MYC 3/3/11/1 - MYC 3/3/11/7 are all included on a single plate.
B/W ink drawing of a bull’s head rhyton carved from steatite. The fragment found includes the top of the forehead with the right and part of the left horn socket. It was found in the Rhyton Well on the acropolis. It is labeled “26” on the front and back.
B/W ink drawing of a bull’s head rhyton carved from steatite. The fragment found includes the left side of the face and forehead with horn and eye sockets. It was found in the Rhyton Well on the acropolis. It is labeled “26b” on the front and back.
B/W ink drawing and description of the construction processes to create a bull’s head rhyton from steatite. Specifically, it shows the locking mechanisms to attach the horns. It is labeled “27a” on the front.
Final ink drawing of fragments from grave stele VIII in the Grave Circle. MYC 3/4/04/1 - MYC 3/4/04/3 are all glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of a fragment from grave stele VIII displaying a chariot wheel and the heads of two warriors. MYC 3/4/04/1 - MYC 3/4/04/3 are all glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of a fragment from grave stele VIII displaying the leg and hoof of a horse, as well as a border design. MYC 3/4/04/1 - MYC 3/4/04/3 are all glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of a fragment from grave stele VIII displaying the left-hand corner with a spiral design. MYC 3/4/04/1 - MYC 3/4/04/3 are all glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawings of fragments from grave stele IX in the Grave Circle. MYC 3/4/05/1 & MYC 3/4/05/2 are glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of a fragment from grave stele IX displaying the legs of a man falling to the left, a man’s torso and head as he is leaning to the right, as well as potentially the arm, spear, or sword of an adversary. MYC 3/4/05/1 & MYC 3/4/05/2 are glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of a fragment from grave stele IX displaying two chariot wheels, the body of one chariot, as well as the hind leg of a horse and reins. MYC 3/4/05/1 & MYC 3/4/05/2 are glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawings of fragments from grave stelae X and XI in the Grave Circle. MYC 3/4/06/1 - MYC 3/4/06/3 are glued together.
B/W ink drawing of two fragments from grave stele X, part a displaying a man with pleated hair or some sort of cap. His knees are bent and he has a curved object in his left hand. Part b displays the legs of a man who is apparently running. MYC 3/4/06/1 - MYC 3/4/06/3 are glued together.
B/W ink drawing of fragment “a” from grave stele XI displaying the forepart of a horse, reins, and a long lance pointed in the same direction as the horse. The stele is badly damaged and the images are almost indistinguishable. MYC 3/4/06/1 - MYC 3/4/06/3 are glued together.
B/W ink drawing of fragment “b” from grave stele XI displaying the head and arm of a man who is holding a similarly curved object to that in MYC 3/4/6/1. MYC 3/4/06/1 - MYC 3/4/06/3 are glued together.
B/W ink drawings of fragments from grave stele XIII in the Grave Circle. MYC 3/4/07/1 - MYC 3/4/07/5 are glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of fragment “a” from grave stele XII displaying several spirals and loops. The fragment is the top left corner of the stele. It is labeled “74” on the back. MYC 3/4/07/1 - MYC 3/4/07/5 are glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of fragment “b” from grave stele XII displaying a spiral and loop. The fragment is the top right corner of the stele. It is labeled “84” on the back. MYC 3/4/07/1 - MYC 3/4/07/5 are glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of fragment “c” from grave stele XII displaying three linked spirals which form a border. It is labeled “77” on the back. MYC 3/4/07/1 - MYC 3/4/07/5 are glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.
B/W ink drawing of fragment “d” from grave stele XII displaying the greater part of one spiral and a small part of another. MYC 3/4/07/1 - MYC 3/4/07/5 are glued together and represent fragments of the same stele.