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.
B/W ink drawing of fragment “e” from grave stele XII displaying part of a spiral and a broad vertical band on the outside. It is labeled “78” 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 a restored version of fragment “a” from stele XII in the grave circle (MYC 3/4/07/1). It displays a complete design of the laterally connecting spirals and loops. It is labeled “6” on the front and “82” on the back.
B/W ink drawing of fragment “d” from stele VIII. The fragment is badly damaged and not much is discernable other than four parallel horizontal lines. It is labeled “76” on the back.
B/W ink drawings showing objects from the Beehive Tombs and Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 3/4/10/1 - MYC 3/4/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104
B/W ink drawing of bronze mirror with carved ivory handles from the woman's grave in the entrance passage of the "Tomb of Clytemnestra," L.H. III (1400-1100 B.C.). MYC 3/4/10/1 - MYC 3/4/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104.
B/W ink drawings of bronze mirror with carved ivory handles, from the woman's grave in the entrance passage of the "Tomb of Clytemnestra," L.H. III (1400-1100 B.C.). MYC 3/4/10/1 - MYC 3/4/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104
B/W ink drawing of carved ivory handle of bronze mirror from the woman's grave in the entrance passage of the "Tomb of Clytemnestra," L.H. III (1400-1100 B.C.). MYC 3/4/10/1 - MYC 3/4/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104
B/W ink drawing of ivory inlay from a wooden casket, from Tomb 518, L.H. II (1500-1400 B.C.). MYC 3/4/10/1 - MYC 3/4/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104
B/W ink drawing showing fragments of a ivory plaque in a proposed restoration of the plaque showing guardian lions in heraldic posture from "Tomb of Aegisthus," L.H. II (1500-1400 B.C.). MYC 3/4/10/1 - MYC 3/4/10/5 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104
Two identical printer's proofs of a watercolour of a fresco displaying women from the Ramp House. The individual fragments are numbered (8-10, 23-25). The final water-colour from which this was printed is MYC 3/2/15. Individual fragments are also included as MYC 3/2/03 & MYC 3/2/04.
Two identical printer's proofs of a watercolour of a fresco displaying plants with blue leaves from the Ramp House. The individual fragments are numbered (11-19, 21-22). The final water-colour is included as MYC 3/2/16 and fragment #13 is included as MYC 3/2/05.
Printed reproduction of a watercolour of a fresco displaying abstract patterns of lines, spots, and other markings colored red, yellow, blue, black, and white from the Ramp House. The individual fragments are numbered (i-ii, a-b, 26-32). Fragment #27 is located in MYC 3/2/06, fragment #30 is located in MYC 3/2/07, and fragments a & b are located in MYC 3/2/08.
Printed reproduction of an ink drawing of the south part of the palace.
Colour printed reproduction of a watercolour of a fresco displaying men in athletic competition and bulls from the Ramp House. The individual fragments are numbered (1-7, 20). The final water-colour from which this was printed is MYC 3/2/14. Individual fragments are also included as MYC 3/2/01 & MYC 3/2/02
Two photographs showing the hearth at Megaron from the east & west. The photographs display the many layers of painted stucco that make up the hearth. MYC 4/06/01 & MYC 4/06/02 are glued to the same poster board. The photographs were likely taken by either Dr. C. W. Blegen or A. J. B. Wace
B/W photograph showing the hearth at Megaron from the east. The photograph displays the many layers of painted stucco that make up the hearth. It is glued to the same piece of paper as MYC 4/06/02. The photo was likely taken by either Dr. C. W. Blegen or A. J. B. Wace
B/W photograph showing the hearth at Megaron from the west. The photograph displays the many layers of painted stucco that make up the hearth. It is glued to the same piece of paper as MYC 4/06/01. The photo was likely taken by either Dr. C. W. Blegen or A. J. B. Wace
Pinter's proof of an ink drawing of the plans and sections of tombs 518 & 529. The drawings contain scales and the important finds are numbered. MYC 4/07/01 & MYC 4/07/2 are printed on the same proof.
Printer's proof of an ink drawing of the plan and section of tomb 518. The drawing contains a scale and the important finds are numbered. It is printed on the same piece of paper as MYC 4/07/2.
Printer's proof of an ink drawing of the plan and section of tomb 529. The drawing contains a scale and the important finds are numbered. It is printed on the same piece of paper as MYC 4/07/1
B/W photograph on mount board showing the actual state of the Grave Circle and Royal Shaft Graves photographed from the north. On the ridge beyond can be seen the entrance to the "Treasury of Atreus". The plain and citadel of Argos lie in the distance. This item was used for the 1936 Exhibition and so is also cross-referenced as follows: 1936 Exhibition Collection: 1936 EXH - 103
B/W photograph of the Lion Gate, within appear the Grave Circle and the houses to the south; and on the ridge, beyond the Cyclopean wall, the entrance to the Treasury of Atreus. This item was used for the 1936 Exhibition and so is also cross-referenced as follows: 1936 Exhibition Collection: 1936 EXH - 119.
Watercolour drawings of terracotta figures of women (e) and oxen (f) ; from tombs 504, 513, 524. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC 4/10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawing of female terracotta figurine from tomb 524. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC /10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawing showing the front view of a female terracotta figurine from tomb 504. Same figurine as MYC 4/10/4. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC 4/10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawing of female terracotta figurine from tomb 524. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC 4/10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawing of the back view of a female terracotta figurine from tomb 504. Same figurine as MYC 4/10/2. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC 4/10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawing of female terracotta figurine from tomb 504. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC 4/10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawing of terracotta figurine of an ox from tomb 513. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC 4/10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawing of terracotta figurine of an ox from tomb 527. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC 4/10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawing of terracotta figurine of an ox from tomb 513 L.H. III. MYC 4/10/1 - MYC 4/10/8 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104E-F, along with MYC 4/11.
Watercolour drawings of bronze daggers,knives, tweezers and spearheads from the Citadel and Kalkani Cemetery. MYC 4/11/1 - MYC 4/11/3 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104G-H, along with MYC 4/10.
Watercolour drawing of bronze spearhead from the Citadel on the Acropolis. MYC 4/11/1 - MYC 4/11/3 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104G, along with MYC 4/10.
Watercolour drawing of bronze dagger and knives, with wooden and ivory handles and bronze tweezers, from Tombs 518 and 529. MYC 4/11/1 - MYC 4/11/3 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104H, along with MYC 4/10.
Watercolour drawing of bronze knife from the room to the north of the western portal of the Palace. MYC 4/11/1 - MYC 4/11/3 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 104H, along with MYC 4/10.