Tholos Tomb IV

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Tholos Tomb IV was excavated in 1953 by Lord William Taylour, a member of Carl Blegen's team; it was reconstructed in 1957 by the Greek Archaeological Service. The tomb was built before the palace was at the height of its power. Those responsible likely lived on the hill of Englianos in houses now under the later palace, and probably also built the fortifications wall that surrounded the acropolis during the Early Mycenaean period (1680–1400 B.C.). The tomb was robbed in antiquity. Among the finds that remained in it were small objects of precious materials, jewelry, gold foil cut-outs with representation of a winged griffin, and a gold signet ring showing a scene of worship at a peak sanctuary of Minoan type. The grave was used for royal burials (at least thirteen in number) throughout most of the 16th and 15th centuries B.C. Not far to the southwest was a shaft grave with rich offerings, dating to the 15th century B.C.