Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 2.djvu/44

Pit-Graves in the Mycenian Citadel. 23 ing wall, which appears in the background of the perspective view (Fig. 250), and on our map 246,4 (Fig. 90), and seems as if it might be a prolongation of the left wall leading to the Lions Gate ? It is hard to say. No traces have been noticed of a junction between the southern front of the fortress and the first wall, which ran along the inner edge of the western esplanade, covered with ruinous buildings, and which in after days was either totally or partly destroyed. On the other hand, it cannot be denied that the area behind the circle, but on a level with it, betrays marks of re-handlings ; the boundary wall here sweeps round so as to enclose the additional space then given to the sacred precinct. Eastward, the sanctuary met the I i Fig. 351, — Section of sepulchral enclosure, from easi lo wesl. foundation wall of the second platform and the adjoining circuit ; no free space, therefore, was left on this side, and it became necessary to provide circulation on the lower esplanade, to keep man and beast out of the holy ground. To this end they brought the rampart a little more forward, and contrived between it and the talus of the funereal mound a path for the inhabitants of this quarter. This is the path seen in Belger's restoration : it rises west of and near to the gate, and disappears between two impending walls.' Whatever notion we may form of the primitive ' In Adler's opinion the tombs were situated without the acropolis, and the south face of the wall was then given its present direction to make room for the erection of the Lions Gate {ArchaologiscAe Zaiuttg, and Preface to Tiryns). Steffen, on the contrary, thinks that the trace seen at this spot belongs to the original plan.