Athens’ National Archaeological Museum …

 

DSC_0507This museum has a large collection of ancient Greek antiquities. The brochure notes one of the must see exhibits is the treasure from the royal tombs at Mycenae. It is uncertain whether this “mask of Agamemnon”, is the actual death mask of King Agamemnon.  It is believed to be dated from the 16th century B.C.

Not surprisingly, the collection is made up of findings from excavations, chance finds as well as donations. The Museum’s bronze collection is one of the largest in the DSC_0673world and is famous for its large scale original statues, including one that belongs to either Zeus (carried a lighting bolt) or Poseidon (carried a trident). It is believed this statue is of Zeus, however, they aren’t sure because its remains did not include what it was carrying!

 

One of my favourite pieces in the Museum’s collection is DSC_0544called “Marathon Boy”. This imposing bronze piece of a young jockey on a full size horse dates back to 140 B.C. Unlike many of the pieces in the collection that are typically found on land during excavations, this treasured piece was retrieved in pieces from a shipwreck!

One of the most unusual pieces in the collection was also discovered on a shipwreck and is referred to as the “antikythera mechanism” which is a complicated DSC_0690system of gear wheels relating to the signs of the zodiac and the months. Studies of this fragment suggest it was used at sea to calculate the movements of the sun and the moon as well as the movement of known stars and planets at that time. This was likely constructed in 78 B.C.and is considered one of the most important pieces of ancient technology.  Fascinating!

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