The grave goods of Shaft Grave III

  • Mycenaean Gold Balance

The tomb, in which the gold balance and the infant were found, is situated within the fortification wall of the city of Mycenae dating to the 16th century BC (Fig. 3 and Fig.4). Konstantinidi-Syvridi, E. (2018). “Mycenae, Shaft Grave III. Tomb of the High Priestess?”, Journal of Prehistoric Religion 26:47. Close to this wall is a circular construction in which a cemetery is located with a few tombs facing each other, called Grave Circle A (Fig. 5). Our gold balance was found in one of the graves named Shaft Grave III.

Besides this fascinating artifact, you may wonder what else was encountered when this tomb was excavated by Heinrich Schliemann on November 23rd, 1876. Two male bodies were also buried here, one of whom was about 35 years old, and the other who was approximately between the ages of 35 and 45. To them a few precious objects were dedicated: a gold cup, three gold seals (Fig. 6), the mineral amethyst, and gold beads.Konstantinidi-Syvridi, E. (2018). “Mycenae, Shaft Grave III. Tomb of the High Priestess?”, Journal of Prehistoric Religion 26:47-57.

The majority of the grave goods belonged to the priestess, and possibly even to the infant, making them the most prominent deceased of this tomb. 701 gold roundels were found in the tomb, covering the bodies of both the priestess and the infant from top to bottom as well as underneath and on top of their bodies! (Fig.6). In addition to these roundels, gold cut-outs in various shapes (e.g., a butterfly and an octopus), a small bronze knife, two solid gold ivy leaves, gold quadruple spirals, five miniature gold vessels and a silver and a gold brooch were found surrounding the bodies (Fig. 7).

Looking at all the grave goods (Fig.8) found in the tomb, they generally seem to have a religious character. For example, the five miniature gold vessels belonging to the woman were probably used for keeping substances, among which opium. Opium was used as a painkiller, but was also likely used in rituals to provoke ecstasies. The probable use of opium is strengthened by brooch pins with a rock-crystal head that were found in the tomb. One was shaped in the form of a poppy flower, which denotes the importance of the poppy. Opium was extracted by incising little vertical notches alongside the poppy, as you can see in the image below. As a result, the latex of the poppy (i.e., opium) would slowly flow out, after which the opium could be collected.Askitopoulou, H., et al. (2002), “Archaeological evidence on the use of opium in the Minoan world”, International Congress Series 1242, 5. The ritual character of this brooch probably tells us that these people buried in the tomb most likely held a position within the priesthood, with the woman being of a higher status than the males. This would also explain why no weapons were found in the tomb.Konstantinidi-Syvridi, E. (2018). “Mycenae, Shaft Grave III. Tomb of the High Priestess?”, Journal of Prehistoric Religion 26:47-57

  • Fig. 3. Photo of the archeological site of Mycenae - [Wikimedia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mycenae_x01.jpg)

    Fig. 3. Photo of the archeological site of Mycenae - Wikimedia

  • Fig. 4. Model of Mycenae - [Wikimedia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mycenae_010.jpg)

    Fig. 4. Model of Mycenae - Wikimedia

  • Fig. 5. Map of Mycenae’s graves - In Wace, A.J.B. (1950). [“Excavations at Mycenae, 1939.”]( https://www.jstor.org/stable/30096755), _The Annual of the British School at Athens_ 45:205)

    Fig. 5. Map of Mycenae’s graves - In Wace, A.J.B. (1950). “Excavations at Mycenae, 1939.”, The Annual of the British School at Athens 45:205)

  • Fig. 6. Gold roundels embellished with butterflies - National Archaeological Museum of Athens - Via [Alamy](https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/mycenaean-greece-gold.html)

    Fig. 6. Gold roundels embellished with butterflies - National Archaeological Museum of Athens - Via Alamy

  • Fig. 7. One of the gold seals from Shaft Grave III - From Konstantinidi-Syvridi, E. (2018). [“Mycenae, Shaft Grave III. Tomb of the High Priestess?”]( https://www.academia.edu/36117412/Mycenae_Grave_Circle_A_Shaft_Grave_III_Tomb_of_the_High_Priestess), _Journal of Prehistoric Religion_ 26:48

    Fig. 7. One of the gold seals from Shaft Grave III - From Konstantinidi-Syvridi, E. (2018). “Mycenae, Shaft Grave III. Tomb of the High Priestess?”, Journal of Prehistoric Religion 26:48

  • Fig. 8. Grave goods from Shaft Grave III - National Archaeological Museum, Athens - [Wikimedia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_Objects_from_Grave_III_(Grave_Circle_A)_6.JPG)

    Fig. 8. Grave goods from Shaft Grave III - National Archaeological Museum, Athens - Wikimedia