Mycenaean Treasures from Pylos

The beautiful Mycenaean treasures from Pylos excavated from the 3,500 year old Griffin Warrior’s tomb are going on display for the first time. They’ll be in the Museum of Messenia, Greece first. But, most exciting to me, they’ll also be coming to the Getty Villa in Malibu California in June 2025 until January 2026.

The exhibit will contextualize these artistic masterpieces by including pieces from the palace of Pylos. In the Iliad, Homer calls Pylos the Kingdom of Nestor. It’s easy to imagine the talkative king on the excavated throne surrounded by frescoes of griffins. (Photo at top is a fresco from the throne room, of a bard and a bird, wiki, Leporello78) I’ve written about the gorgeous art found in the intact Griffin Warrior’s tomb. The warrior became the “griffin warrior” because of the ivory seal with a griffin on it found in the tomb. However, the most remarkable piece is an agate stone seal showing warriors in extraordinarily fine and emotionally compelling detail. One lies dead beneath the other two. One holds a sword to the neck of another in the final moment before death.

For gorgeous photos and a good discussion of the two archaeologists responsible for the find of the Griffin Warrior tomb, you may enjoy reading in Greek City Times, “Unearthing the Past: Mycenaean Treasures from Pylos on Display for the First Time in Greece.”

Further Reading about Mycenaean Treasures at Pylos

I’ve written a few posts about the Griffin Warrior tomb. If you’re interested in more about this extraordinary Bronze Age Mycenaean find, you may enjoy these articles:

Reviewing “A Maiden’s Prayer,” Exploring a Warrior’s Grave & Unexpected Foods (scroll to 2nd section)

Writing the Biography of a Hittite Queen, and in Archaeology, Mycenaean Warrior Tombs (scroll to 2nd section)

Griffin Warrior Tomb at Pylos

There’s also a fun post showing 3d reconstruction of the throne room at Pylos and its current appearance on a blog called, It’sallGreektoAnna, Visiting the Palace of Nestor.