Mycenaean tomb types.doc

Tholos Tomb or Beehive Tomb

Monumental built tomb with circular chamber and long entrance passage - dromos

Chamber Tomb

Rock cut tomb with square or circular chamber and long entrance passage – dromos – for multiple burial

Dromos

The long entrance passage to a tholos or chamber tomb

Pit grave

Simple earth grave for single burial

Cist grave

Stone lined grave for single burial

Pithos grave

Burial in large clay jar  - used mostly for children

Shaft Grave

Deep rock cut shaft with a roofed chamber at its base

Built tomb

Rectangular stone built tombs usually for multiple burial

Tumulus

Mound of earth raised over one or more graves

Inhumation

Burial of the body as opposed to its cremation

Contracted burial

The body has the legs drawn up to the chest

Extended burial

The body is laid fully extended

Single burial

A grave is constructed and used once only

Multiple burial

A grave is used for several burials, perhaps members of the same family over many years

Primary burial

either the first burial in a tumulus or other group

or the initial burial soon after death

Secondary burial

either a later burial in a tumulus or other group

or the removal and reburial of the elements of the skeleton some years after death.

Grave goods or grave offerings

Items placed with the body, to show wealth and status, to provide for needs in an after life, or as part of religious ceremonial

Burial type

Introduced in:-

Used between:-

Cist tombs/ pit graves

Middle Bronze Age

2000 - 1050 BC

Pithos burial

Middle Bronze Age

2000 - 1500 BC

Tumulus burial

Middle Bronze Age

1800 - 1500 BC

Shaft Graves

Late Middle Bronze Age

1650 - 1500 BC

Tholos Tombs

Early Mycenaean

1600 - 1200 BC

Chamber Tombs

Early Mycenaean

1600 - 1050 BC

Built tombs

Early Mycenaean

1600 - 1250 BC

Mycenae Palace

1400 - 1200 BC

Pylos Archives

1300 - 1200 BC