Mycenae Burial Circle

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

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Here we can see Mycenae's large Burial Circle today. It was once located outside the city walls, but when the fortifications were expanded the burial site was incorporated into the city itself. Its 6 shaft graves held 19 bodies: 9 men, 8 women, and 2 children. To the right inside the double-ring of large stones you can see one of the ancient graves.

At a second grave circle a cult complex has been identified. There are structures for sacrifices, offerings, and libations. There is even a type of temple with a cult room and perhaps an altar. There is no exact parallel to these sorts of structures in either Crete or Minos, indicating that religious belief here had developed along an independent line quite a bit.

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