April 12, 2005
April 12 Photos: Neha
The exterior space of the Thebes Archaeological Museum, seen here, has become a repository for the excess of inscriptions, sculpture, grave reliefs, and other items. Katherine remarked that the area looked like a “graveyard for gravestones.”
Nkosi gazes at the case containing 30 cylindrical seals of lapis lazuli, 14 of which contain cuneiform inscriptions, found in Thebes. A large number of the seals are from the Kassite-Babylonian 14th century period, while a few are from Cypriot, ranging from the 15th-13th century BC. These seals seem to confirm the traditional connection of Thebes with Phoenicia.
This case contains bronze plates and shoulder pieces from a Mycenaean corselet found in a palatial storeroom, dated to the 13th century BC.
This picture shows false-necked amphoras containing Linear B inscriptions, found in a Mycenaean palatial structure in Thebes.
Katherine and Caleb become excited about the incised grave stele of the warrior Saugenos found at Tanagra, dated to the 4th century BC.
Due to the poor condition of the incision on the grave stele, the Museum provides a reconstructed picture. The deceased is shown in a fighting stance with a sword, shield and helmet. The inside of the shield contains a depiction of Bellerophon slaying the Chimera. The pediment contains a symposium scene.
A larnax, dated to the 12th century BC, containing unusual statuettes on its flat lid is seen here. The statuettes are in the form of sacral horns and a disk supporting a winged figure, which has feelers and an elongated serpentine body.
The group is pictured here sitting on the remnants of the 4th century fortification walls at Plataea. The Greek victory over the Persians and their allies at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC sealed the defeat of the Persian campaign.
The group is seen here entering one of the towers at the 4th century fortress of Eleutherai. Each tower contained three openings in the upper storey and had a door to the court.
The restored columns of the Temple of Zeus at Nemea are pictured here. The Doric peripteral hexastyle temple was built between 340-320 BC.
Jackie and Caleb stand before the remains of a column drum belonging to the Temple of Zeus. Other column drums from the Temple can be seen lined up behind them.
One of the bathing chambers located at the site of Nemea are pictured here. Athletes participating in the ancient Nemean Games would be able to use the tubs, seen at left, to pour water over their heads in preparation for their events.
This display case contains gold rings and ornaments found in a Mycenaean chamber tomb at Aidonia, dated to the 16th-15th century BC. Some of these pieces were returned to Greece after a major repatriation effort in the mid-90s.
The group is seen here readying themselves at the starting line within the late 4th century stadium at Nemea. On your marks, get set, and ….
Off they go…..
The race ends with Ben as the winner, with Caleb taking second . Winners of the ancient Nemean Games received wreaths of wild celery.
After the race, the group enjoys a nice picnic lunch in a field of wild flowers. b>
The group poses in front of a Mycenaean dam, built using cyclopean masonry, near the ancient site of Tiryns. b>
The group is seen here entering a Mycenaean tholos tomb near Tiryns.
The impressive corbel vaulting of the interior roof of the tholos tomb is shown here. b>