Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 1.djvu/456

The Domed-Tomb at Orchomenos. 429 this situation, if rosettes at all, though distinct were smaller and thickly studded, so as to harmonize this section of the building with the wealth of its inner decoration, which was quite as sumptuQus as the grave of Atreus. For obvious reasons, com- parison between the two treasuries cannot be carried to the exterior. So far as the mutilated state of the building will allow us to judge, it differs from the grave of Atreus in that there are no semi-columns at the entrance gate, and the facade has no facing. The mode of closing is unknown ; for, as already remarked, the double ground-sill which appears in Schliemann's first account^ has been recognized by Dorpfeld as belonging to the Roman epoch. The height of the circular chamber cannot be given. To attempt a reconstruction of this superb edifice from such scanty data is out of the question. In Phocis, faint traces only of this early period have been found. Broken Mycenian pottery is said to have been picked up at Daulis;- and very archaic graves, mere rock-hewn holes, are reported from Anticyra, where, too, fragments of very primitive pottery have been collected.^ Thessaly. In concert with local tradition, we have attributed the great and quaint sepulchre of Orchomenos to the Minyans. Yet previous to reaching Boeotia, they had made some stay in Southern Thessaly. Here, by the tranquil waters of the Paga- sa^an Gulf, were learnt their first lessons in navigation, ere they ventured on those distant and adventurous expeditions, whose remembrance is preserved in the Argonaut myth. History knows them as the first settlers on that coast. Hence we shall not out- strip the bounds of probability by ascribing to these doughty and thrifty clans the oldest monuments which the district they once inhabited has preserved. The bee-hive tomb at Dimini, about four kilometres west of Volo, first drew the attention of students to that corner of the world. The village near which it stands lies by the sea, at the foot of the lower hills of Pelion, some ^ SCHLIEMANN. '^ FURTWANCLER and LOESCHKE. ^ Athenische Mitthcilungen.