GREECE PELOPONNESE ARGOLIS MYCENAE PERIPHERY

Tomb of the Genii etc.

The well-preserved "Tomb of the Genii" (also called "Perfect Tholos"), with still intact ceiling, is assigned to group III of the tholoi, the latest form of Mycenaean tholos tombs. It has some peculiarities, however, that could be misleading and would hint to an earlier phase. These deviations are interpreted as economy measures on the part of its builders. First, the tomb chamber (thalamos) has a diameter of "only" 8.4 m. This is distinctly less than the 14.5 and 13.4 m of the "Treasury of Atreus" and the "Tomb of Klytaimnestra", respectively, which were built in about the same period.

The blocking-wall at the exterior end of the dromos is still clearly visible. - The dromos itself has only been lined with rubble walls instead of using ashlar masonry, another economic measure.

Above: Above the carefully worked entrance is a relieving triangle, but there are no indications that it had been masked by some relief sculpture. Also, there was no elaborate decoration on the façade of the stomion. - Below: The stomion of the tomb.

Above right and below: Details of the stomion with remains of the mounting of the once wooden doors on the floor and on the ceiling.