A 3,500-year-old treasure-laden grave of a warrior has been discovered near an ancient palace in southern Greece.
The Culture Ministry says the grave is the most spectacular discovery of its kind from the Mycenaean era in more than six decades.
James C Wright, director of American School of Classical Studies at Athens, told the New York Times: “Probably not since the 1950s have we found such a rich tomb.”
One of the six ivory combs found within the tomb
It contained about 1,400 artefacts, including gold and silver jewelry, cups, bronze vases, engraved gemstones and an ornate ivory-and gilt-hilted sword [“lots of bling”, as Dr Wright puts it].
The newspaper also notes an ivory plaque carved with a griffin lay between the warrior’s legs and that the presence of a bronze mirror and ivory combs indicate he was “something of a dandy”.
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The grave escaped plunderers who looted a monumental beehive tomb discovered decades ago in the area, near the palace of Pylos - one of the most important Mycenaean administrative centers.
A ministry statement cited by the Associated Press said the grave was found this summer by an international team headed by the University of Cincinnati.
It is believed the dead warrior, aged 30-35, must have been a "leading member" of Pylos' aristocracy, the ministry statement added.
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