Griffin Warrior Tomb, Bronze Age shaft tomb at Palace of Nestor, Greece
The Griffin Warrior Tomb is a Bronze Age shaft burial near the Palace of Nestor containing over 3500 objects, including weapons, jewelry, armor, and precious metalwork. The discovery offers insights into the material culture of that distant period.
The burial site was uncovered through excavations in 2015 and dated to roughly 1450 BCE through pottery analysis. The remains come from an era when powerful kingdoms controlled the Aegean region.
The burial goods show strong ties between Minoan and Mycenaean cultures, especially through four gold signet rings depicting scenes from Minoan mythology. These items reveal how closely the two civilizations were connected.
Access to the burial site is arranged through the nearby Pylos Archaeological Museum, which houses most artifacts for study and viewing. Planning your visit requires checking opening times, as the excavation site and museum operate on different schedules.
The burial chamber held the so-called Pylos Combat Agate, a tiny semiprecious stone with intricately carved battle scenes showing extraordinary artistic skill from that era. This miniature work ranks among the finest examples of ancient stone carving.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
