Mycenaean Tholos Tomb of Acharnes
The best-preserved Mycenaean tholos tomb in Attica, dating to the 14th–13th century BC, in Acharnes.
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About the museum
The tholos tomb of Acharnes, also known as the tholos tomb of Menidi, was excavated in 1879 by the German Archaeological Institute at Athens. It is the best-preserved Mycenaean tholos tomb in Attica and dates to the 14th–13th century BC. It was built to accommodate members of the prominent families of the area. The tomb is filled with earth and is surrounded by a low wall.
It has the usual form of tholos tombs, with a dromos, entrance and burial chamber, all built of rough masonry. The long sloping dromos, almost 27 metres long and 3 metres wide, leads through a narrower opening into the almost circular chamber, 8.35 metres in diameter. The chamber is covered by a corbelled vault whose walls narrow towards the top, at a height of about 9 metres above the ground, where the last opening is closed with a large slab. The lintel of the entrance consists of three successive monoliths.
Many grave goods were found in the tomb: gold, silver and bronze objects, electrum, glass paste and faience, seal stones, boar’s tusks, probably from a helmet, bronze weapons and many ivory objects. Among them a cylindrical box with relief depictions of rams and fragments of two lyres stand out, one of which is considered the oldest of its kind. Four amphorae from Canaan attest contacts with the eastern Mediterranean. The most important finds are displayed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Highlights
- The best-preserved Mycenaean tholos tomb in Attica
- Sloping dromos almost 27 metres long
- Circular chamber 8.35 metres in diameter with a corbelled vault
- Lintel of three successive monoliths
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Δυτικής Αττικής
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Θολωτός Τάφος
Bus route 755 (Acharnai – Kokkinos Mylos – Kato Patisia stop), stop “Tholotos Tafos”.
Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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