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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.

Plan and Section of Tomb 525 [MYC 2/2/17], Plan and Section of Tomb 525, 1921-1922

It is a preliminary plan and section of tomb 525 drawn on transparent drawing paper and includes annotations. Because it is a preliminary sketch, it does not match exactly what was published in Archaeologia V. 82.

Plan and Section of Tomb 526 [MYC 2/2/18], Plan and Section of Tomb 526, 1921-1923

It is a preliminary plan and section of tomb 526 drawn on transparent drawing paper and includes annotations. Because it is a preliminary sketch, it does not match exactly what was published in Archaeologia V. 82.

Plan and Section of Tomb 528 [MYC 2/2/19], Plan and Section of Tomb 528, 1921-1923

It is a preliminary plan and section of tomb 528 drawn on transparent drawing paper and includes annotations. Because it is a preliminary sketch, it does not match exactly what was published in Archaeologia V. 82.

Plan and Section of Tomb 532 [MYC 2/2/20], Plan and Section of Tomb 532, 1921-1923

It is a preliminary plan and section of tomb 532 drawn on transparent drawing paper and includes annotations. Because it is a preliminary sketch, it does not match exactly what was published in Archaeologia V. 82.

Plan of Tombs on North Slope of Kalkani Hill (513-519) [MYC 2/2/21], Plan of Tombs on North Slope of Kalkani Hill (513-519), 1920-1923

It is a preliminary sketch plan of the tombs on the north slope of Kalkani Hill. The tombs are numbered (513-519) and they include brief annotations. It contains a detailed, but unidentified section on the back.

Grid Map of the Grave Circle [MYC 2/2/22], Grid Map of the Grave Circle, 1921-1923

It is a preliminary grid map of the grave circle and does not include annotations. Additionally, there are no labels on any of the buildings.

Plan and Section of Outdoor Staircase [MYC 2/2/23], Plan and Section of Outdoor Staircase, 1920-1923

It is a preliminary plan and section of various outdoor staircases drawn on transparent drawing paper and includes annotations. It gives views from both outside and inside the staircase, as well as views from multiple angles.

Plan and Section of Outdoor Staircase [MYC 2/2/24], Plan and Section of Outdoor Staircase, 1920-1923

It is a preliminary plan and section of various outdoor staircases drawn on transparent drawing paper and includes annotations. It gives views from both outside and inside the staircase, as well as views from multiple angles.

Plan and Section of Outdoor Staircase [MYC 2/2/25], Plan and Section of Outdoor Staircase, 1920-1923

It is a preliminary plan and section of various outdoor staircases drawn on transparent drawing paper and includes annotations and some calculations. It gives views from both outside and inside the staircase, as well as views from multiple angles.

Sketch Plan of the Acropolis [MYC 2/2/26], Sketch Plan of the Acropolis, 1920-1923

It is a preliminary sketch plan of the acropolis and includes various annotations, measurements, and calculations.

Sketch Plan of the Acropolis [MYC 2/2/27], Sketch Plan of the Acropolis, 1920-1923

A preliminary sketch of the Lion Gate and wall with in-depth notes, annotations, measurements, and calculations. There is also a lightly drawn section on the back.

Plan and Inside Elevation of the Postern Gate [MYC 2/2/28], Plan and Inside Elevation of the Postern Gate, 1920-1923

It is a preliminary sketch plan of the plan and inside of the Postern Gate and includes annotations. There are very light sketches of vases on the back.

Section Through Ring of Slabs in Grave Circle [MYC 2/2/29], Section Through Ring of Slabs in Grave Circle, 1921-1923

It is a preliminary drawing of the section showing construction of ring slabs on the east side of the Grave Circle. The drawing contains annotations, measurements and calculations written in pencil. It also has a scale for reference.

Plan and Section of “Perfect Tholos Tomb” (Tomb of the Genii) [MYC 2/2/30], Plan and Section of “Perfect Tholos Tomb” (Tomb of the Genii), 1920-1923

It is a preliminary section of the Tomb of the Genii, also known as the “Perfect Tholos Tomb.” It is drawn on transparent drawing paper and includes annotations. Because it is a preliminary sketch, it does not match exactly what was published in ABSA 25 and Wace, Mycenae no. 15.

Plan of Grave Circle and Surrounding Buildings [MYC 2/2/31], Plan of Grave Circle and Surrounding Buildings, 1920-1923

Preliminary plan of Grave Circle A and the surrounding buildings. Part of a printed version of the plan has been pasted on top of board and then added to in ink. The buildings are labeled with numbers and letters and the drawing includes some annotations.

Tell-El-Amarna Style Vase Fragment [MYC 3/1/01], Tell-El-Amarna Style Vase Fragment, 1920-1923

Final ink drawing of a L.H. III Tell-el Amarna style vase found in Stratum II near the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labeled part “a” since MYC 3/1/1 – MYC 3/1/7 were formerly parts of the same plate. It is lightly labeled “102” in blue pencil.

Hydria Shard with “Curious Animal” [MYC 3/1/02], Hydria Shard with “Curious Animal”, 1920-1923

It contains a final ink drawing of a L.H. III hydria shard which displays a curious animal found in Stratum II near the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labeled part “b” since MYC 3/1/1 – MYC 3/1/7 were formerly parts of the same plate. It is labeled “108” on the back in pencil.

Deep Bowl Fragment [MYC 3/1/03], Deep Bowl Fragment, 1920-1923

Final ink drawing of a LH III deep bowl fragment found in Stratum II near the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labelled “c” in ink on the front and “88” on the back in pencil.

Deep Bowl Fragment [MYC 3/1/04], Deep Bowl Fragment, 1920-1923

Final ink drawing of a LH III deep bowl fragment found in Stratum II near the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labelled “d” in ink on the front and “88” on the back in pencil.

Deep Bowl Fragment [MYC 3/1/05], Deep Bowl Fragment, 1920-1923

Final ink drawing of a LH III deep bowl fragment found in Stratum II near the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labelled “e” in ink on the front.

Deep Bowl Fragment [MYC 3/1/06], Deep Bowl Fragment, 1920-1923

Final ink drawing of a LH III deep bowl fragment found in Stratum II near the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labelled “f” in ink on the front and “108” on the back in pencil.

Shallow Spreading Bowl Fragment [MYC 3/1/07], Shallow Spreading Bowl Fragment, 1920-1923

Final ink drawing of a LH III shallow spreading bowl fragment found in Stratum II near the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labelled “g” on the front in ink and “88” on the back in pencil.

“Close Style” Bowl of the Granary Class from Corridors [MYC 3/1/08], “Close Style” Bowl of the Granary Class from Corridors, 1920

Watercolour drawing of a L.H. III bowl ornamented with black-brown glaze paint in the “close style,” but belonging to the granary class. It was Lfound in the East and West Corridors between 42▪40 and 40 in the Granary. It is labeled part “a” since MYC 3/1/8 – MYC 3/1/9 were formerly parts of the same plate. It is labelLed “7” on the front in pencil.

“Close Style” Bowl of the Granary Class from East Basement [MYC 3/1/09], “Close Style” Bowl of the Granary Class from East Basement, 1920

Watercolour drawing of a L.H. III bowl ornamented with black-brown glaze paint in the “close style,” but belonging to the granary class. It was found in the East Basement of the Granary. It is labeled part “b” since MYC 3/1/8 – MYC 3/1/9 were formerly parts of the same plate. It is labeled “4” on the front in pencil.

Orientalizing Pottery from Lion Gate [MYC 3/1/10], Orientalizing Pottery from Lion Gate, 1920-1923

B/W ink drawing of a L.H. III sherd of Orientalizing pottery. The drawing is black and white, although the original piece was brown clay with black drawings, detailed in purple. It was found in Stratum XI by the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labelled “a” in ink on the front and “87” on the back in pencil.

Orientalizing Pottery from Lion Gate [MYC 3/1/11], Orientalizing Pottery from Lion Gate, 1920-1923

B/W ink drawing of a L.H. III sherd of Orientalizing pottery. The drawing is black and white, although the original piece was brown clay with black drawings, detailed in purple. It was found in Stratum XI by the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labelled “b” in ink on the front with further annotations in pencil, “6” and “2/3 size”

Orientalizing Pottery from Lion Gate [MYC 3/1/12], Orientalizing Pottery from Lion Gate, 1920-1923

B/W ink drawing of a LH III sherd of Orientalizing pottery. The drawing is black and white, although the original piece was pale buff clay. It was found in Stratum XI by the west wing of the Lion Gate. It is labelled “c” in ink and heavily annotated in pencil on the front.

Kylikes Fragment with Octopus Tentacles from Granary [MYC 3/1/13], Kylikes Fragment with Octopus Tentacles from Granary, 1920

B/W ink drawing of a L.H. III Kylikes sherd displaying what appear to be octopus tentacles. It was found in shaft grave in the East Basement of the Granary. It is labeled part “a” since MYC 3/1/13 – MYC 3/1/16 were formerly parts of the same plate. It is annotated in pencil on the front and labeled “101” and “632” on the back

Ceramics from Granary [MYC 3/1/14], Ceramics from Granary, 1920

Two B/W ink drawings (MYC 3/1/14/1 & MYC 3/1/14/2) glued together showing fragments of pottery.

Horn of Bull’s Head Rhyton from Granary [MYC 3/1/14/1], Horn of Bull’s Head Rhyton from Granary, 1920

B/W ink drawing of a L.H. III horn from a Bull’s Head Rhyton. It was found in West Corridor of the Granary. It is labelled part “b” since MYC 3/1/13 – MYC 3/1/16 were formerly parts of the same plate. It is annotated in pencil and labelled “8” on the front and “97” and “629” on the back. It is glued to part “c” from the same plate, which is included as MYC 3/1/14/2

Spindle Whorl from Granary [MYC 3/1/14/2], Spindle Whorl from Granary, 1920

B/W ink drawing of a spindle whorl shaped like a wheel with hubs on either side. It was found in East Basement of the Granary. It is labelled part “c” since MYC 3/1/13 – MYC 3/1/16 were formerly parts of the same plate. It is labelled “631” on the front and back, and “107a” on the back. It is glued to part “b” from the same plate, which is included as MYC 3/1/14/1

Bull’s Head Ornament from Triple Loop Handled Vase [MYC 3/1/15], Bull’s Head Ornament from Triple Loop Handled Vase, 1920

B/W ink drawing of a bull’s head ornament from a triple loop handled vase of the granary class. It was found in East or West corridors of the basement in the Granary. It is labelled part “d” since MYC 3/1/13 – MYC 3/1/16 were formerly parts of the same plate. It is labelled “639” on the front and back, and “104” on the back.

Three Handled Jar from Granary [MYC 3/1/16], Three Handled Jar from Granary, 1920

B/W ink drawing of a three handled jar of the L.H. III granary class. It was found in East or West corridors of the basement in the Granary. It is labelled part “e” since MYC 3/1/13 – MYC 3/1/16 were formerly parts of the same plate; and “630” on the front and back as well as “104a” on the back.

Stirrup-Vase from the East Basement of the Granary [MYC 3/1/17], Stirrup-Vase from the East Basement of the Granary, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of “Close Style” stirrup-vase with a frieze of "aquatic birds" found in East basement of the Granary. It has annotated labels: "2" on the front upper left corner in pencil and "c" underneath the vase in ink. A photograph of the vase represented in this drawings can be found as "g" on Pl. X of ABSA v. 25 (1921-23)

M.H. Pottery Sherds from Palace Shrine [MYC 3/1/18], M.H. Pottery Sherds from Palace Shrine, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of Middle Helladic pottery sherds. They were found in the shrine of the palace. It is labeled part “138” as well as “854-856” on the back.

Fragment E of Palace Style Amphorae from Tomb of Aegisthus [MYC 3/1/19], Fragment E of Palace Style Amphorae from Tomb of Aegisthus, 1922-1923

Watercolour drawing of a L.H. II pottery sherd from a Palace Style Amphorae. It was found in the dromos of the Tomb of Aegisthus. It is labeled “747” on the back.

Pottery fragment of Palace Style Amphorae from Tomb of Aegisthus [MYC 3/1/20], Pottery fragment of Palace Style Amphorae from Tomb of Aegisthus, 1922-1923

Watercolour drawing of a LH II pottery fragment from a Palace Style Amphorae. It was found in the dromos of the Tomb of Aegisthus. It is labelled in ink, “g” on the front and “59” and “750” on the back.

Tea-cup Shaped Vase from Tomb 520 [MYC 3/1/21], Tea-cup Shaped Vase from Tomb 520, 1921-1923

Watercolour drawing of LH III vase found in the chamber of tomb 520 in the Kalkani Cemetery. It is labelled “e” in ink and “3” in pencil on the front.

Unidentified Vase Fragment and Handle [MYC 3/1/22], Unidentified Vase Fragment and Handle, 1920-1923

B/W ink drawing of a vase fragment and handle. It is labeled “E 3 ▪ 5-3 Brown slip traces of white filling” on the front.

Unidentified Vase Fragment [MYC 3/1/23], Unidentified Vase Fragment, 1920-1923

B/W ink drawing of two vase fragments. It is labeled “301 – 25 ▪ 2E” on the front.

Unidentified Vase Handles [MYC 3/1/24], Unidentified Vase Handles, 1920-1923

B/W ink drawing of two vase handles. It is labeled “6 – 5 ▪ 5 grey black Θ0-5III ▪ 21” on the front.

Painted Pottery from Kalkani Cemetery, Tombs 516 & 518 [MYC 3/1/25], Painted Pottery from Kalkani Cemetery, Tombs 516 & 518, 1920-1923

7 watercolour drawings of LH I & II pottery from Kalkani Cemetery, Tombs 516 & 518. The drawings are pasted onto an exhibition board as they were displayed in the BSA 1936 Exhibition at Burlington House, London. The individual drawings now numbered: MYC 3/1/25/1 - MYC 3/1/25/7. They were annotated in pen after the exhibition with bibliographic references.

LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 4 [MYC 3/1/25/1], LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 4, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of LH I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 518, no. 4. This is 1 of 7 drawings included an exhibition board (MYC 3/1/25/1).

LH I Vase from Tomb 516, No. 2 [MYC 3/1/25/2], LH I Vase from Tomb 516, No. 2, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of LH I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 516, no. 2. This is 1 of 7 drawings included an exhibition board (MYC 3/1/25/1).

LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 31 [MYC 3/1/25/3], LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 31, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of LH I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 518, no. 31. This is 1 of 7 drawings included an exhibition board (MYC 3/1/25/1).

LH I Vase from Tomb 516, No. 1 [MYC 3/1/25/4], LH I Vase from Tomb 516, No. 1, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of LH I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 516, no. 1. This is 1 of 7 drawings included an exhibition board (MYC 3/1/25/1).

LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 17 [MYC 3/1/25/5], LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 17, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of LH I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 518, no. 17. This is 1 of 7 drawings included an exhibition board (MYC 3/1/25/1).

LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 30 [MYC 3/1/25/6], LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 30, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of LH I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 518, no. 30. This is 1 of 7 drawings included an exhibition board (MYC 3/1/25/1).

LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 33 [MYC 3/1/25/7], LH I Vase from Tomb 518, No. 33, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawing of LH I vase from Kalkani Cemetery, Tomb 518, no. 33. This is 1 of 7 drawings included an exhibition board (MYC 3/1/25/1).

Collection of L.H. III Vases [MYC 3/1/26], Collection of L.H. III Vases, 1920-1923

Watercolour drawings of L.H. III pottery from Granary, Kalkani Cemetery, and Third Kilometre Cemeteries. MYC 3/1/26/1 - MYC 3/1/26/3 are all included in 1936 Exhibition collection: 1936 EXH - 111