Mycenaean tombs Kefalonia

Kefalonia Island appears to have been populated since 50,000 BC as evidenced by the finds found in many different places and even the Mycenaean period that covers the second half of the second millennium BC has not remained immune, however, a unique event for the archipelago of the Ionian Islands. The presence of the Mycenaeans is attributed to the fact that Kefalonia was a large producer of wheat with commercial exchanges between the nearby islands and also for the nomadic populations of Mycenaean origin from the Peloponnese who moved to the island.

The testimony of the presence in this prosperous era are the numerous tombs found in Mazarakata, Metaxata, Kranias, Lakithra, Diakata and Mavrata. Homer in his books spoke of the cemeteries of Kefalonia and the findings have confirmed the veracity of his testimonies.

We want to focus on those of Mazarakata, the most famous and numerous, and on that of Tzanata. The large cemetery of Mazarakatasi is located about eight kilometers from the capital Argostoli in a southwest direction to the center of Kefalonia towards Pessada.

Its discovery dates back to the early twentieth century when in 1810 by mistake Colonel De Bosset of the British army discovered them because he was looking for limestone to cover the streets.

The archaeologist Panagis Kavadias, a resident of Kefalonia, began excavations from 1899 to 1909, bringing to light 17 tombs where below were found caves and roads that were used to transport the dead. The tombs have a square shape and are of different sizes, reachable through a long corridor of about 8 meters wide. The seventeenth was discovered by chance in 1951 by the archaeologist Spyros Marinatos.

The Mycenaean tombs of Mazakratata were carved out of the bare rock and as was the custom of the population each tomb was used for many different times and people.

Some of the gold finds, symbol of wealth, clay vases, bronze weapons and tools, seals encrusted with stone from the period and other finds, were donated by De Bosset to Switzerland and are now exhibited at the Neuchatel museum, others have been divided between the archaeological museums of Athens and Argostoli. Unfortunately the site is in a state of semi-abandonment and can be accessed through the openings of the fences, but it remains an important archaeological site and we hope that it will soon be restored to the beauty it deserves.

The Mazarakata cemetery was also a fundamental research point for the Dutch philosopher Cornelis Hiëronymus Goekoop in an attempt to prove that Kefalonia was indeed the Ithaca described by Homer.

Argostoli is always the reference point, from here take the road to the southwest and go into the hinterland of the island following the signs for the village of Mazaraka. It is necessary to have your own vehicle.

And here we are at the tomb of Tzanata instead, we find it on the opposite side between the Poros and Sami villages towards the southeast. It is the best preserved compared to all the others and is dated 1350 BC. It is exactly structured like those found in Mycenae but smaller in size. Located just below the hill and currently open to visitors, it was discovered in 1991 by the archaeologist Lazaros Kolonas who was excavating in the Broutzi area. A beehive-shaped tomb with a diameter of about seven meters and almost four meters high. Inside were found urns from the 12th century BC, jewels and ceramic objects. In the immediate vicinity, an ossuary was also discovered containing the remains of 72 men. Some experts claim it is the burial place of Ulysses while others that it is a royal mound of the previous lords.

Take Poros village as a reference. From here go towards the interior of Kefalonia for about three kilometers and you will arrive in Tzanata. Also in this case it is necessary to have a private vehicle.

Two very interesting sites, perhaps to be combined in a day to discover the history of the island that must be included in the list of things to see in Kefalonia.