Smith, Arthur H. [Hrsg.]; British Museum <London> / Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities [Hrsg.]: Catalogue of sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities (Band 1) (London, 1892)

PART I.

ARCHAIC PERIOD.

SCULPTURES FROM MYCENAE.

Tho sculptures contained in the first section of this
catalogue are derived from the site of Mycenae, the first
four being fragments of important works of architecture.
There is great uncertainty as to the date and origin of
the Mycenaean monuments. A theory frequently advanced
supposes that they are remains of an old civilization
whose centre was Argolis, and which was swept away by
Dorian invaders. If this view is accepted, Nos. 1-6 arc
separated by a long interval of years, and by a time of
great political change, from the remaining sculptures in
this volume. From No. 7 onwards we have works pro-
duced during the historical period; but the remains of
Mycenae acquire interest from the consideration that they
may be authentic memorials of a dynasty only dimly
remembered in the Homeric Poems.
1-4. Fragments of architecture from the building, commonly
known as the ' Treasury of Atreus' at Mycenae. This
building is a dome-covered tomb (tholos) of beehive shape,
approached by a long passage (dromos). It is cut out
from the side of a hill, and built of heavy masonry, covered
with earth, so as to form a tumulus. It was partially
excavated by Lord Elgin, and more completely in 1879
by tho Greek Archaeological Society. The fragments
Nos. 1-i are parts of an elaborately decorated doorway to
the tomb. Thoy have been incorporated in a somewhat