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Lion
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Grave Circles
King's
Megaron
Cistern
Clytemnestra's Tomb
Treasury of
Atreus
Lion Tomb
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Dr. J's
Illustrated
Lion Tomb (Tholos) at Mycenae
 The Lion Tomb,
situated outside the citadel walls, suffered the collapse of its tholos, and thus offers a
wide-open view (the dromos, too, has been cleared).
The tomb, which dates to c. 1350 BC, housed three simple pit graves which were found
empty. The tholos is 14 meters across, one of the smaller of the 9 tholos tombs discovered
(thus far?) at Mycenae. Although some guide books claim the tomb's name is due to its
proximity to the Lion Gate, the name is really due to the discovery of inlays of lions
found within. |
 Like
all thresholds in tholos tombs (and most ancient buildings), the doorway slants inward,
getting smaller as it approaches the ceiling. The
lintel block on this tomb consists of four regularly-cut blocks. Its masonry shows
advanced skill in building with stone. |
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