The Discovery of Mycenae

Mycenae was a powerful city in Greece, located in the southern peninsular. It was the leading political and cultural centre on mainland Greece from about 1400B.C to 1200B.C. The city was famous for its royal palace, high-walled fortress and beehived-shaped tombs for the kings. The palace in Mycenae was surrounded by massive walls with a huge gateway called the Lion Gate. About 1200B.C, The Mycenaean civilization collapsed and its main centres were destroyed. According to one traditional account, the Dorians who came from northwestern Greece invaded the Mycenaeans.

Archaeological Means:

            German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered five royal graves at the site of Mycenae in 1876. This discovery started the study of Bronze Age. The royal graves uncovered were known as the Shaft graves, and contained jewels, bronze weapons, bronze, silver and other gold objects. These tombs can still be seen. The Mycenae civilization collapsed during the late 1100B.C. It was believed to have fallen due to natural disasters and barbaric invasions. The city then never regained its power.