So last night I watched a documentary BBC series called "In Search of the Trojan War" for no real reason other than it was available to watch instantly on NetFlix and because I am fascinated by Homer. Doh!
Ancient Tomb Discovered on Greek Island
By NICHOLAS PAPHITIS,
AP
Posted: 2008-03-05 21:15:00
Filed Under: Science News
ATHENS, Greece (March 5) - Road construction on the western Greek island of Lefkada has uncovered and partially destroyed an important tomb with artifacts dating back more than 3,000 years, officials said on Wednesday.
Greek officials said on Wednesday that a road construction crew unearthed and partially destroyed an important tomb thought to be more than 3,000 years old. The rare beehive-shaped monument, which was found on the island of Lefkada, contained many artifacts and could shed light on the Mycenaean presence in the area.
The find is a miniature version of the large, opulent tombs built by the rulers of Greece during the Mycenaean era, which ended around 1100 B.C. Although dozens have been found in the mainland and on Crete, the underground, beehive-shaped monuments are very rare in the western Ionian Sea islands, and previously unknown on Lefkada.
The discovery could fuel debate on a major prehistoric puzzle - where the homeland of Homer's legendary hero Odysseus was located.
"This is a very important find for the area, because until now we had next to no evidence on Mycenaean presence on Lefkada," excavator Maria Stavropoulou-Gatsi told The Associated Press.
Stavropoulou-Gatsi said the tomb was unearthed about a month ago by a bulldozer, during road construction work.
"Unfortunately, the driver caused significant damage," she said.
She said the tomb contained several human skeletons, as well as smashed pottery, two seal stones, beads made of semiprecious stones, copper implements and clay loom weights. It appeared to have been plundered during antiquity.
With a nine-foot diameter, the tomb is very small compared to others, such as the Tomb of Atreus in Mycenae, which was more than 46 feet across and built of stones weighing up to 120 tons.
But it could revive scholarly debate on the location of Odysseus' Ithaca mentioned in Homer's poems - which are believed to be loosely based on Mycenaean-era events. While the nearby island of Ithaki is generally identified as the hero's kingdom, other theories have proposed Lefkada or neighboring Kefallonia.
Stavropoulou-Gatsi said the discovery might cause excitement on Lefkada but it was too soon for any speculation on Odysseus.
"I think it is much too early to engage in such discussion. The location of Homer's Ithaca is a very complex issue," she said.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-03-05 15:08:13
6 comments:
Life is filled with happy coincidences if you're looking for them!
Really.
Poppy - and they seem to come in waves. At least for me they do.
You know I've noticed the sudden flood of Ancient History news recently.
I'm interested in Ancient Eygpt and I keep finding acticles and switching channels just when a documentary on Eygpt is about to start...
I understand you! xx
Random fact - the ancient Greeks buried their dead in the foetal position - because they believed in reincarnation - so dead were in right position for a bit of yer rebirth.
There are stone sarcophagi in the museum at Knossos (Crete) hollowed out in a foetal postion type shape.
I'd love to unearth a treasure!
Elise - No one understands me. ;)
WR - It was either that or bury them in the popular man/boy love position. Yeah, let's stick with fetal. ;)
TK - sounds racy!
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