An intact tomb dating to roughly 1500 BC belonging to an ancient warrior was uncovered near the Mycenaean-era Palace of Nestor in southeastern Peloponnese. According to a Culture Ministry press release, the tomb and its contents rank as one of the most important discoveries in mainland Greece over the past 65 years. 

The discovery was brought to light by a University of Cincinnati team led by archaeologists Jack L. Davis and Sharon Stoker. The discovery is part of the Pylos Regional Archaeological Project (PRAP), a multi-disciplinary and long-time archaeological expedition established 1990 to investigate the history of prehistoric and historic settlement in western Messinia (southeastern Peloponnese), and especially the area centered on the Bronze Age site known as the Palace of Nestor. 

Archaeologists have identified more than 1,400 pieces “whose quality testifies to the influence of the Minoans” on the later Mycenaeans. Various artifacts, including an ornate string of pearls, signet rings, a bronze sword with a gold and ivory handle, silver vases and ivory combs, were discovered in the tomb. 
 
The jewelry is decorated in the style of the Minoans, the civilization that flourished on the island of Crete from around 2000 BC, with the figures of deities, animals and floral motifs.
 

TAGS: ARCHEOLOGY | HERITAGE