The collection from Grave V, Grave Circle A, housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, features a broad selection of artifacts excavated from the Mycenaean palace of Mycenae, Greece, stemming from the 16th century BCE. As burial possessions of the Mycenean royal class, these items illustrate the wealth, aesthetic sensibilities, and daily life during the late Bronze Age.
The composition of the collection is multifaceted, with objects of both decorative and utilitarian value. Personal adornments, especially the preserved gold jewelry, showcase the advanced metalwork capabilities of Mycenean craftspeople. Key pieces include gold diadems, earrings, and rings, etched with natural and mythological themes, such as flora, marine creatures, sphinxes, and griffins.
Nonetheless, the collection comprises a substantial amount of pottery, shedding light on the typical living conditions and death customs of that era. Various funerary urns, jars, and jugs, still retaining faint traces of their initial pigmented frescoes, depict historically significant narratives of warfare, hunting, and banquets.
The assortment highlights notable grave stelae or tomb markers, made from the region's grey limestone. These stelae are of critical historical value, displaying imagery of battles and chariot parades, which elaborate on the martial strength and societal structures of Mycenean civilization.
Weapons and tools further emphasize this military focus. Bronze swords, daggers, and axes, frequently decorated with gold, silver, and niello (a copper, silver, and lead alloy), signify advances in metallurgy and martial bravery during the period. Objects for personal care, such as razors, mirrors, and cosmetic containers, provide additional layers of understanding regarding Mycenae life.
