GR PELOPONNESE ARGOLIS ADRIANOS TIRYNS DAM

The Tiryns Dam, 2 km east of Nea Tiryntha and 4 km east of the acropolis of Tiryns, is clearly signposted, even in Linear B writing.

After the Lakissa river carried a mudslide and devastated the Mycenaean settlement south of the citadel of Tiryns in 1190/80 BC, the Lakissa now flowed north of Tiryns. To prevent further catastrophies the Mycenaeans now took measures to divert the Lakissa. At the outlet of three creeks they dug a 1.5 km long canal and blocked the previous riverbed by an artificial dam 10m high and 300m long. This dam, the remains of which we see today, was earth fill strengthened by two retaining walls.

Below left: Standing on the dam, looking East. The canal is on the right side of the picture. - Below right: Standing in the canal, the dam is on the right.