DENDRA - 2003

Dendra. E. Pappi (Δ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of a horse burial (Figs 1-2) in the north part of the Mycenaean cemetery, close to the tombs excavated by E. Protonotariou-Deikali in 1977 and to chamber tombs 2, 15 and 16. A pair of horses (5-6) were found to the east of the pair (1-2) excavated in 1977. They had been placed directly onto bedrock, set face to face, and oriented east-west. Sherds found by their legs include a very few plain kylix stems. In addition, a concentration of bones from three or four horses, found to the west of pair (3-4) excavated in 1977, must have been displaced from a tomb. The new total of three pairs of horses and three or four displaced individuals highlights the significance and duration of this funerary practice. The location of the burials outside the chamber tombs makes it likely that this was a collective practice, over and above any association with a particular chamber tomb. The burials of two pairs, (1-2 and 5-6) have been roofed as an open air display.