Archaeologists unearth 'masterpiece' sealstone in Greek tomb

Eureka Alert ^ | 6-NOV-2017 | University of Cincinnati

[sparklite2]

The "Pylos Combat Agate," as the seal has come to be known for the fierce hand-to-hand battle it portrays, promises not only to rewrite the history of ancient Greek art, but to help shed light on myth and legend in an era of Western civilization still steeped in mystery.

The remarkably undisturbed and intact grave revealed not only the well-preserved remains of what is believed to have been a powerful Mycenaean warrior or priest buried around 1500 B.C., but also an incredible trove of burial riches that serve as a time capsule into the origins of Greek civilization.

But the skill and sophistication of the Pylos Combat Agate is unparalleled by anything uncovered before from the Minoan-Mycenaean world, say the researchers. And that raises a bigger question: How does this change our understanding of Greek art in the Bronze Age?  

[Teflonic]

Here's the sword found in the same tomb:

more photos

[sparklite2]

I can’t imagine doing this without some sort of magnification.

[yarddog]

I noticed a gold disc with the image of a bull which looks very Minoan.

Trade?

[Big Red Badger]

3500 yrs old!
Wow.

[sparklite2]

Gold ring with leaping Minoan bull.

[PLMerite]

“He was angry, bitter, and all his “facts” were pan-African BS conspiracy garbage and outright lies.”

Yeah, I kinda figured as much.

[Big Red Badger]

That’s some real Man Cave stuff,

Thanks!

[Calvin Locke]

The US Mint uses some old (150 year?) French-built machinery to make coin dies.

The original "source" artwork is something on the order of 18" in diameter.

Can't remember how long it takes to make a die.

What gets me about the way people twist themselves into knots over "Africa".

When fractals were a big thing in Mathematics 30 years ago, reporters went out of their way to point out that African craft designs had fractals in them.

Well, fractals are found in nature, and of course artists and artisans are going to be inspired by cool patterns that they see.

But, understanding the science of fractals?

[Teflonic]

I know! It boggles the mind consider how a 3500 year old sword hilt can look so...futuristic.

[Daffynition]

My most favorite ancient artifact, sits in the MFA.

http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/earring-with-nike-driving-a-two-horse-chariot-155707

[Chgogal]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3602505/posts?page=8#8

[sparklite2]

Incredible.

[Daffynition]

As an undergrad, in college, in Boston, freshman year Western Civ was a requirement. Our prof was a Sister of Notre Dame who was a firecracker of a teacher. She took us on a field trip to the MFA [Museum of Fine Arts] .... and at that time, this magnificent tiny singular artifact was housed in a square, pillar like display case.

She gathered us all, asked us to surround it, and she started talking about the Etruscans and their devotion to gods, blah...blah....and without warning, took her elbow and banged the case ....the little chariot swung on its hook and she exclaimed *LOOK! ISN’T IT WONDERFUL!?!**

We all gasped! It was quite a surreal moment that this very *proper* nun would do such as rascally thing. :)

[sparklite2]

It’s magnificent. How tiny is it?

[Daffynition]

Dimensions

Height: 5cm (1 15/16in.) Weight: 15.8 gm (0.03 lb.)

http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/earring-with-nike-driving-a-two-horse-chariot-155707

[sparklite2]

Thanks.

[Big Red Badger]

Swing Low....
Sweet Chariot!

[21twelve]

Thanks for that link - amazing stuff. And the gold chain almost looks like new!

[Pontiac]

Might be a signet ring because of the reverse relief.

[mairdie]

The early anatomy and perspective were excellent. It was a conscious desire to replace perspective and anatomical detail with Christian symbolism that changed art drastically. And that lasted for centuries until they “rediscovered” perspective. That’s not putting down Christianity. That’s just observing how it affected art styles. (Very old U of Chicago Art History major)