Mycenaean cemetery of Voudeni
Μυκηναϊκό νεκροταφείο Βούντενης | |
Location in Greece | |
Alternative name | Patras Mycenaean Park |
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Location | Patras |
Region | Western Greece, Greece |
Coordinates | 38°15′13.34″N 21°46′50.88″E / 38.2537056°N 21.7808000°E |
Altitude | 220 m (722 ft) |
Type | Mycenaean cemetery and settlement |
History | |
Founded | 1500 BC |
Abandoned | 1050 BC |
Periods | Mycenaean Greece |
Site notes | |
Excavation dates | 1923-1924, 1988-1994, 2004-2007 |
Archaeologists | Nikolaos Kyparissis, Lazaros Kolonas |
Ownership | Ministry of Culture |
Management | 6th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities |
Public access | Open to visitors |
The Mycenaean cemetery of Voudeni (
Settlement
The prehistoric settlement of Voudeni, lasting approximately five hundred years (1500–1050 BC), was one of the most prominent regional sites of the periphery of the Mycenaean world. Due to the natural fortification and hiding provided by the Bortzi hill at the foot of
Cemetery
West of the present day settlement of Voudeni and southeast of the prehistoric settlement, at Amygdalia position, excavations firstly led by archaeologists Nikolaos Kyparissis and later on by Lazaros Kolonas,[3] revealed a Mycenaean cemetery. On a total area of 18 acres, 78 chamber tombs of various shapes and sizes were discovered, with a recent research suggesting a dozen more possible tombs. Most of the explored graves were carved in circular, square, horseshoe or quadrilateral form with a dome, of varying dimensions often housing multiple burials. Some of the largest tombs are number 4 and 75, which are presumed to belong to officials or community lords due to their large size. All of the tombs revealed objects of everyday life, such as vases, jewellery, tools, weapons and utensils, that prove the prosperity and commercial relations of the locals.[4] Most of the objects were transferred to warehouses and the most important finds are exhibited at the nearby newly found archaeological museum of Patras.
Image gallery
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Tombs in the park
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Dead warriors in tomb No 5
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Tomb No 4
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Entrance of tomb No 4
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Interior of tomb No 75
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Path in the cemetery park
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The Settlement
References
- ^ "Half-day tour". Patras Port Authority. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018.
- ^ "Virtual Tour to Monuments of Aitoloakarnania and Achaia - Sites". Monuments.hpclab.ceid.upatras.gr. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ Gazis, Michalis. "Μυκηναϊκό Πάρκο Πατρών-Βούντενη (σύντομος οδηγός), κείμενα: Λ. Κολώνας, επιμέλεια: Μ. Γκαζής, Πάτρα 2013 - Patras Mycenaean Park -Voundeni (brief guide), texts: L. Kolonas, editing: M. Gazis, Patra 2013". Academia.edu. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Πάτρα: Γνωρίστε τον πανέμορφο Αρχαιολογικό χώρο της Βούντενης – Πότε δημιουργήθηκε ο οικισμός και τί βρέθηκε στο νεκροταφείο – ΔΕΙΤΕ ΦΩΤΟ". Thebest.gr. 3 May 2015.