Mycenae's tholos tombs display extraordinary megalithic engineering. Treasury of Atreus (Tomb of Agamemnon) built between 1350 and 1250 BC Main entrance of Treasury of Atreus approximately 50 feet tall Features massive megalithic blocks up to approximately 18 feet long and 8 to 10 tons
The Treasury of Atreus (1350-1250 BC) has a 50-foot entrance framed by 18-foot blocks weighing 8-10 tons. A triangle relief redistributes lintel weight. The nearby Lion Tholos reaches 15 meters with a beehive dome. Mycenae burned at the end of the 13th century BC, though the palace area shows evidence going back to 3000 BC.
Key Facts
- Treasury of Atreus (Tomb of Agamemnon) built between 1350 and 1250 BC
- Main entrance of Treasury of Atreus approximately 50 feet tall
- Features massive megalithic blocks up to approximately 18 feet long and 8 to 10 tons
- Triangle relief space at top designed to distribute weight off the lintel
- Lion Tholos Tomb located near the north part of the site near the Lion Gate
- Lion Tholos had a total height of approximately 15 meters with a beehive domed roof
- Some lintels estimated at approximately 50 tons
- Four massive lintels noted as particularly remarkable in scale compared to other Mycenaean sites like Tiryns
- Most of the site was destroyed by fire at the end of the 13th century BC
- Palace area at the top shows evidence dating back to 3,000 BC
Related site: Mycenae — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Mycenae is much more Impressive than you think | Megalithomania by MegalithomaniaUK