Mask of Agamemnon - The golden death mask once believed to be evidence of the Trojan War

The archaeologist who discovered this mask believes it shows that the Trojan War was real.

In 1876, German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann made a shocking discovery while excavating at the archaeological site of Mycenae , southern Greece. Known as one of the most important finds of the Bronze Age, Schliemann found a golden death mask that he believed belonged to the mythical king Agamemnon. 

Dubbed the "Mask of Agamemnon ," the artifact quickly attracted the attention of not only archaeologists but also the general public. However, subsequent research has revealed interesting and surprising facts, shedding light on a complex part of the history of the Mycenaean civilization .

The Mask of Agamemnon.

During his excavations at Mycenae, Schliemann discovered a Bronze Age royal tomb containing the remains of eight people. One of the most striking artifacts discovered was a golden death mask, which he quickly linked to Agamemnon – the great king mentioned in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey . According to Homer, Agamemnon led the Achaean army in the siege of Troy.

Schliemann believed that he had found the remains of Agamemnon himself, and this reinforced his belief that the myths in Homer's epics had a historical basis. From then on, the mask became known as the "Mask of Agamemnon", symbolizing a glorious part of the history of Mycenae and the Trojan War.

This mask was created around 1500 BC.

Although Schliemann was confident of his discovery, modern research suggests otherwise. Careful analysis of the mask's artistic style and dating suggests it was created around 1500 BC , hundreds of years before Agamemnon's time, if he had actually existed. This raises questions about whether the mask is actually related to the mythical king.

Archaeologists have also determined that the tomb in which the mask was found was a royal tomb, but have not been able to confirm that it is the burial place of Agamemnon. The Mycenaean civilization – which Agamemnon is believed to have ruled – may have existed from around 1750 BC until it collapsed around 1200 BC, during the 'Late Bronze Age Collapse.' This makes the connection between the mask and Agamemnon even more difficult to establish.

Is this mask really related to King Agamemnon?

The golden death mask that Schliemann found was formed from a thin sheet of gold, cast to reflect the face of the deceased. The royal tomb contained the remains of eight people, but only five of them wore golden death masks, indicating the important role these people played in Mycenaean society.

The Mycenaean civilization was one of the most important Bronze Age civilizations in southern Greece. They spoke a form of the ancient Greek language and were heavily influenced by the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete. The Mycenaeans were not only famous for their achievements in architecture and art, but were also credited with creating a highly organized and developed society. In the Iliad , Homer describes Mycenae as a kingdom of fierce warriors, and Schliemann believed that this was the society over which Agamemnon ruled.

Although modern archaeologists believe that the Trojan War – if it occurred – may have taken place around the 12th century BC , after the decline of the Mycenaean civilization, Schliemann still believed that the Mycenaeans were the Achaeans described by Homer.

The discovery of this mask is an important contribution to understanding more about the Mycenaean civilization.

Whether or not the mask actually belonged to Agamemnon, the discovery is an important contribution to understanding the Mycenaean civilization and the connection between history and myth. Schliemann was not only a talented archaeologist but also a man with a strong passion for proving the existence of characters from ancient Greek epics. His discovery of the "Mask of Agamemnon" is a clear example of the blending of myth and fact in archaeology.

Heinrich Schliemann's discovery was not only a major step forward in the field of archaeology, but also a testament to the intersection of myth and history. Despite much debate surrounding the true identity of the mask's wearer, the "Mask of Agamemnon" remains a compelling symbol of the Mycenaean civilization and the Bronze Age of Greek history.

The Mask of Agamemnon reflects the sophisticated craftsmanship of the Bronze Age.

The Mycenaean gold death mask, although it cannot be definitively confirmed to belong to Agamemnon, is still an extremely valuable artifact. It reflects not only the sophisticated craftsmanship of the Bronze Age , but also carries with it the symbolic value of power and status in ancient Mycenaean society. Gold death masks like this were made for people of high social status, be they kings or fierce warriors.

The discovery of the mask also opens the door to many discussions about history and myth. It reminds us that, while the stories of Agamemnon may have been mythologized over time, the historical reality behind the Mycenaean civilization remains largely unexplored.