National Archaeological Museum

The Prehistoric Collection consists of unique works of art representing the major civilizations that flourished in the Aegean from the 7th millennium to about 1050 BC. It includes objects from the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age, from mainland Greece, the Aegean islands and Troy. The most important exhibits are the treasures from the royal tombs at Mycenae, the Linear B tablets, the Cycladic marble figurines and the superbly preserved wall-paintings from Thera with their large-scale compositions. These objects are on display in Galleries 3-6 on the ground floor and Gallery 48 on the first floor.

Clay spherical vase with polychrome decoration. Dimini, Magnesia (5922)

Clay figurine of a woman sitting on a stool with an infant in her arms. Sesklo (Thessaly) (5937)

Female statue of the Early Cycladic folded-arm type; Parian marble. Amorgos (3978)


Clay frying-pan vessel with incised decoration of a boat. Chalandriani on Syros (4974)

Boxing children fresco. The painting depicts two naked boys wearing belts and boxing gloves. Room B1, Building B. Acroteri, Thera (ΒΕ1974.26β)


The Spring fresco. This is the only wall-painting of Akrotiri that was found in situ, covering three walls of the same room. Room D2, Complex D. Acroteri, Thera (ΒΕ1974.29)


Antelope fresco. Two antelopes are sketched with strong, dark lines on a white plaster background. Room B1, Building B. Acroteri, Thera (ΒΕ1974.26α)


Strainer jar with white lilies on a dark ground. Akroteri on Thera (562)

Kymbe  with polychrome dolphin decoration. Akroteri on Thera (100)

Linear B tablet, known as the “Tripod tablet ”. Palace of Ano Englianos (Pylos) (Ta 641))


The ‘’Mycenaean Lady’’. Acropolis of Mycenae (11670)

Gold earrings, Mycenae (61)


Gold signet ring, Tiryns (6208)

Wooden hexagonal pyxis decorated with repoussé gold plates. Mycenae, Grave Circle A (808)


Gold death-mask, known as the ‘mask of Agamemnon’. Mycenae, Grave Circle A (624)


Bronze dagger with inlaid gold and silver. Decoration consists of nautilus shells in a marinescape. Myrsinochori tholos tomb, Pylos (8339)


The Vapheio cups. Vapheio, Laconia (1758, 1759)


Ivory lyre, Menidi (Attica) (1972)


Ivory comb with a representation of sphinxes in two zones and a rosette at the centre of the back. Spata of Attica (2044)

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