Mycenae, the Bronze Age Kingdom of Agamemnon, Damaged by Wildfire

Sections of the archaeological site of Mycenae, the bronze age kingdom of Agamemnon, were damaged by a wildfire on Sunday.

Visitors and staff at the archaeological site were earlier evacuated as a precaution.
In an announcement the Ministry of Culture attempts to downplay the damage caused to the ancient site. “The fire did not cause damage to the antiquities, as far as it can be assessed at this time,” it says.

However, the same announcement acknowledges that certain areas within the archaeological site were affected. Specifically, the East Wing of the Palace, the Northern Warehouses, the area of ​​the archaic temple at the top of the hill, the upper western slope of the Acropolis, the south-west District and the area of ​​the Religious Center of Mycenae.

“When the operation of the Fire Service is completed, a team of the Ephorate of Antiquities will make an accurate assessment of the consequences of today’s fire, the Ministry’s announcement added.

It is not yet known whether any specific structures were affected by the blaze or the black smoke. However, photographs show firemen battling the flames next to an ancient wall inside the archaeological site.

A force of 27 fire fighters, a ground team and eight fire engines, assisted by two aircraft and a helicopter, are currently working to put out the blaze.

Mycenae ‘Rich in Gold’, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece.

Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization, while the myths related to its history have inspired poets and writers over many centuries, from the Homeric epics and the great tragedies of the Classical period to contemporary literary and artistic creation.

Source:    Greek Reporter