Vaphio

Vaphio is a Late Helladic (Mycenaean) necropolis in Laconia, Greece, located on the right bank of the Eurotas River approximately 8 km south of Sparta[1]. The site is renowned for its tholos (beehive) tomb, a monumental circular stone structure with a vaulted chamber measuring about 10 meters in diameter[1]. Excavated in 1889 by archaeologist Christos Tsountas, the tomb features a walled entrance passage roughly 30 meters long that leads to the burial chamber[1]. Conservation efforts in 1962 stabilized the deteriorating structure, restoring the walls to approximately 6 meters in height[1]. The necropolis dates to roughly 3000-1500 BC, with the main tholos tomb constructed during the Mycenaean period around 1500 BC[2].