Amphikleia - 2022

Petros Kounouklas (Ephorate of Antiquities of Phthiotis and Euritania) reports on the discovery and excavation of a vaulted Mycenaean tomb (fig. 1) situated near Amphikleia in the Phthiotis region of Central Greece.

The tomb represents the first evidence of the presence of a Mycenaean tholos (vaulted) tomb in Phthiotis, constructed between the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. It had been subjected to looting in antiquity and later repurposed during the Roman Era, as evidenced by the discovery of Roman burial gifts alongside the Mycenaean artefacts. In addition to human remains from ancient burials, the excavation yielded remarkable golden jewellery and pottery characteristic of the Mycenaean Era. Among the findings were two seals, with one of them depicting the famous Taurokathapsia, the bull-leaping sport associated with the Minoan civilization. This particular depiction of a bull-leaping scene is unprecedented in Phthiotis, with comparable finds previously only identified at the Mycenaean palace of Thebes and the vaulted tombs of Dimini in the Magnisia region of Thessaly. The construction of the tomb itself remains well-preserved, despite the collapse of the vault.