DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0177
CONTENTS OF MYKENE TOMBS.
H5
ends, and covered with similar forms, encircled the heads and bodies. The
arrangement of the hair must have been most elaborate, as the bands and rib-
bons of gold seem to indicate. Many hundreds of single and double buttons,
carved in wood, or sometimes in alabaster, and coated with thin gold through
which the design appeared, were scattered about the bodies. These buttons
were, doubtless, set in rows on to the garments, and on to long wooden sword-
handles. There were, besides, spangles of gold to be sewed to the garments ;
clasps and pins, with designs of deer, lions, sphinxes, griffins, eagles, polyps,
cuttle-fish, etc. Chains and hangings of thinnest gold-foil were hung about the
bodies, while above and around them bits of gold were scattered in profusion.
There were also found solid finger-rings, and large, bead-like objects of gold,
evidently parts of necklaces, into which lively scenes were skilfully cut.'97
Besides, there were genuine engraved gems, perhaps intended to be mounted
on a swivel-ring, or form parts of a necklace, and serve as amulets. Sword
Fig 70. Sculptured Capital and Fragment of Column from the so-called Treasury of Atreus. Myhene,
blades and hilts richly decorated, as well as scabbards and vessels of gold, silver,
and bronze, some of which are in very exquisite workmanship, were also found.
In the fourth grave, there were twenty silver vessels, thirty-two copper caldrons,
and one hundred and forty-six swords, large and small. Some of the latter, at
last cleaned, have revealed most elaborate workmanship, and quaint, but agree-
able, designs. An ostrich-egg, having dolphins of alabaster fastened on to it,
was found in one grave; and a few sporadic objects in crystal, amber, ivory,
and glass paste, were scattered throughout the graves. Ivory and glass paste
are, however, rare at Mykene, but very common in the later tombs of Menidi
and Spata. One remarkable object which has attracted much attention, is a
steer's head of silver, with hollow, gilded horns.'9s The mouth, ears, and eyes
were also gilded; but, of this gilding, only the layer of copper over which it
was applied now remains. A graceful rosette is attached to the forehead, and
a ring fastened to the neck indicates that this head was intended to be sus-
pended. From its similarity to objects brought by foreigners — probably Phoe-
nicians— to an Egyptian king, as represented in a grave at Thebes, it may
possibly be the work of this people, but as yet is not fully explained.
H5
ends, and covered with similar forms, encircled the heads and bodies. The
arrangement of the hair must have been most elaborate, as the bands and rib-
bons of gold seem to indicate. Many hundreds of single and double buttons,
carved in wood, or sometimes in alabaster, and coated with thin gold through
which the design appeared, were scattered about the bodies. These buttons
were, doubtless, set in rows on to the garments, and on to long wooden sword-
handles. There were, besides, spangles of gold to be sewed to the garments ;
clasps and pins, with designs of deer, lions, sphinxes, griffins, eagles, polyps,
cuttle-fish, etc. Chains and hangings of thinnest gold-foil were hung about the
bodies, while above and around them bits of gold were scattered in profusion.
There were also found solid finger-rings, and large, bead-like objects of gold,
evidently parts of necklaces, into which lively scenes were skilfully cut.'97
Besides, there were genuine engraved gems, perhaps intended to be mounted
on a swivel-ring, or form parts of a necklace, and serve as amulets. Sword
Fig 70. Sculptured Capital and Fragment of Column from the so-called Treasury of Atreus. Myhene,
blades and hilts richly decorated, as well as scabbards and vessels of gold, silver,
and bronze, some of which are in very exquisite workmanship, were also found.
In the fourth grave, there were twenty silver vessels, thirty-two copper caldrons,
and one hundred and forty-six swords, large and small. Some of the latter, at
last cleaned, have revealed most elaborate workmanship, and quaint, but agree-
able, designs. An ostrich-egg, having dolphins of alabaster fastened on to it,
was found in one grave; and a few sporadic objects in crystal, amber, ivory,
and glass paste, were scattered throughout the graves. Ivory and glass paste
are, however, rare at Mykene, but very common in the later tombs of Menidi
and Spata. One remarkable object which has attracted much attention, is a
steer's head of silver, with hollow, gilded horns.'9s The mouth, ears, and eyes
were also gilded; but, of this gilding, only the layer of copper over which it
was applied now remains. A graceful rosette is attached to the forehead, and
a ring fastened to the neck indicates that this head was intended to be sus-
pended. From its similarity to objects brought by foreigners — probably Phoe-
nicians— to an Egyptian king, as represented in a grave at Thebes, it may
possibly be the work of this people, but as yet is not fully explained.