Greek Reporter: See the glittering gold of Mycenaean Greece

The Greek Reporter highlighted gold artifacts discovered by researchers at the University of Cincinnati in Pylos, Greece.

The Bronze Age gold documented the culture, religion and economy of the Mycenaean civilization, characterized by palatial states, advanced urban organization and a written language called Linear B.

UC Classics Professor Jack Davis and Senior Research Associate Sharon Stocker in 2015 discovered the tomb of an ancient Greek leader dubbed the "Griffin Warrior" for the mythological griffin adorning an ivory plaque found in his grave.

The discovery was hailed as one of the most spectacular Greek finds in two generations. The tomb included armor, weapons and jewelry, including an exquisite agate sealstone depicting mortal combat in such fine detail that Archaeology magazine declared it “a Bronze Age masterpiece.”

The tomb contained more than 2,000 objects crafted by artisans: gold rings emblazoned with leaping bulls, an epic battle depicted on a tiny sealstone and a delicate gold necklace bearing polished agate and beads.

In 2017, Davis and Stocker found gold-covered princely tombs at Pylos that likewise contained gold jewelry and artifacts that are helping historians understand ancient Greece.

“Like with the Griffin Warrior grave, by the end of the first week we knew we had something that was really important,” said Stocker, who supervised the excavation.

A particularly interesting find was a gold pendant bearing the image of the Egyptian goddess Hathor who presided over motherhood and the protection of the dead, the Greek Reporter wrote. 

“You have this explosion of wealth. People are vying for power,” Stocker said. “It’s the formative years that will give rise to the Classic Age of Greece.”

Read the Greek Reporter story.

Featured image at top: A gold ring found in the family tombs at Pylos depicts bulls and barley. Archaeologists believe it's the first known depiction of domestic animals and agriculture in a single artwork from ancient Greece. Photo/Jeff Vanderpool/UC Classics