Mykene

Mykene, known in modern Greek as Mykḗnē, is an ancient archaeological site in the Argolid region of the Peloponnese, Greece. It was a major center of the Mycenaean civilization during the Late Bronze Age, roughly between 1600 and 1100 BCE. The site sits on a rocky hill overlooking the Argolic plain and the village of Mykines, and it was protected by monumental walls and a fortified citadel that housed palatial complexes and administrative facilities.

Notable features at Mykene include the Lion Gate, the monumental entrance framed by a relieving triangle and lion reliefs; extensive megaron-style palatial buildings; and prominent tombs such as Grave Circle A and Grave Circle B, which contain shaft graves with rich grave goods. The Treasury of Atreus, a later tholos or beehive tomb, is among the best-preserved examples of Mycenaean funerary architecture. The combination of fortifications, residential quarters, and funerary monuments illustrates a centralized, hierarchical society with extensive trade and administrative networks.

The site was comprehensively excavated beginning in the 19th century by Heinrich Schliemann, who uncovered the citadel, tombs, and artifacts, including the famous (though debated) Mask of Agamemnon. The discoveries helped establish Mycenae as a key center of early Greek civilization and reinforced connections between Mycenaean culture and later Greek epic tradition. Today, Mykene is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains an important source for understanding Mycenaean political structure, architecture, and burial practices in the Aegean.