The location of Mycenae has never been in doubt, since the site was never fully buried and the stone lions at its entrance remained visible. The site attracted worldwide attention in 1876, when Heinrich Schliemann excavated part of the royal cemetery, now known as Grave Circle A. There, he uncovered well-preserved shaft graves containing objects made of gold, silver, bronze, and terracotta. As a result, the Homeric phrase “Mycenae rich in gold” gained a clear and literal meaning, and the citadel became a major focus of archaeological interest.

Unlike Schliemann, whose work lasted only fourteen weeks, Christos Tsountas carried out excavations over a much longer period, from 1884 to 1902. Although his discoveries were less dramatic, they were more important for understanding the site. He uncovered the remains of the palace, a subterranean cistern, houses within the citadel, and some of the earliest chamber tombs. After his work, excavations at Mycenae stopped for about twenty years.

EXCAVATIONS OF THE BRITISH SCHOOL AT ATHENS

Interest in the site resumed in 1919, when Alan J. B. Wace began large-scale excavations with the British School at Athens. Between 1919 and 1923, he continued earlier work inside the citadel and excavated many chamber tombs outside it, helping scholars better understand burial practices. He also studied the tholos tombs and published the first complete account of them. His work was briefly resumed in 1939 but was interrupted by World War II. He returned in 1950 and continued excavations until his death in 1957. His work was later continued by William Taylour, who worked at Mycenae until 1969.

GREEK EXCAVATIONS

Excavations at Mycenae are also closely connected with the Archaeological Society at Athens. Its involvement began in 1841, when Kyriakos Pittakis cleared the area near the Lion Gate. Later, Panayiotis Stamatakis supervised Schliemann’s work. After Schliemann left in 1877, Stamatakis discovered an additional shaft grave (Grave VI) and the “Acropolis Hoard.” In the early 20th century, only limited excavations were carried out by Dimitrios Evangelidis and Antonios Keramopoullos.

More systematic excavations began again in the 1950s, especially after the discovery of Grave Circle B. This was excavated between 1952 and 1955 by Ioannis Papadimitriou, George Mylonas, and Dimitrios Theocharis. At the same time, Nikolaos Verdelis excavated the West House. Restoration work was also carried out under Anastasios Orlandos and Eustace Stikas, including work on the Tomb of Clytemnestra, the palace, and the fortification walls.

From 1963, excavations were directed by George Mylonas, who studied the fortifications, gates, and several parts of the settlement. He was later succeeded by Spyros Iakovidis. Excavations continue in the wider area around the citadel, especially in cemeteries with chamber tombs, under the supervision of the 4th Ephorate of Antiquities.

Timeline of Excavations at Mycenae

• 1841 – Kyriakos Pittakis clears the area around the Lion Gate, marking the beginning of systematic interest by the Archaeological Society at Athens.
• 1876 – Heinrich Schliemann excavates Grave Circle A, discovering royal shaft graves rich in gold and other materials.
• 1877 – Panayiotis Stamatakis continues work after Schliemann and discovers Shaft Grave VI and the “Acropolis Hoard.”
• 1884–1902 – Christos Tsountas conducts long-term excavations, uncovering the palace, cistern, houses, and early chamber tombs.
• 1909 & 1913 – Limited excavations carried out by Dimitrios Evangelidis and Antonios Keramopoullos.
• 1919–1923 – Alan J. B. Wace leads major excavations with the British School at Athens; studies chamber tombs and tholos tombs.
• 1939 – Wace briefly resumes work, which is soon interrupted by World War II.
• 1950–1957 – Wace returns and continues excavations, focusing on the prehistoric cemetery and residential areas.
• 1952–1955 – Excavation of Grave Circle B by Ioannis Papadimitriou, George Mylonas, and Dimitrios Theocharis.
• 1950s – Nikolaos Verdelis excavates the West House; restoration work carried out by Anastasios Orlandos and Eustace Stikas.
• Until 1969 – William Taylour continues excavations following Wace.
• From 1963 onward – George Mylonas directs excavations, focusing on fortifications, gates, and key structures.
• Later period – Spyros Iakovidis succeeds Mylonas; ongoing excavations in the wider area are conducted by the 4th Ephorate of Antiquities