Grave Circle B, Mycenae

Grave Circle B in Mycenae is a 17th–16th century BCE royal cemetery situated outside the late Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, southern Greece [1]. Grave Circle B, with a diameter of 28 m, is situated at a distance of 117 m west of the Lion Gate, the main entrance of Mycenae [1]. The Circle hosts a total of 26 graves; 14 of which are shaft graves and the rest simple cists [1]. A total of 24 persons were found in the shafts, while six of the shaft graves were family tombs in which several occupants were found [1]. The women in the graves were richly dressed and decorated with various ornaments, such as earrings, necklaces, bands of gold and silver pins [1]. A death mask of electrum has been also unearthed [1]. The burial complex was discovered in 1951 by accident, when workmen were digging at a nearby 13th century BCE tholos tomb [1].