Mycenae Survey and Archaeological Atlas Publication

This series consists of Elizabeth French’s material relating to the Mycenae Survey, conducted between 1991-1994, and the 2003 publication of the survey results in the Archaeological Atlas of Mycenae . This includes background information on the survey, such as technical details, reports and permits; as well as research materials, correspondence and draft versions of Elizabeth French and John Lavery’s chapter in the Atlas on early travelers to Mycenae. There are also a number of photographs, taken during the survey, included in this series.

The Archaeological Atlas of Mycenae, an Archaeological Society at Athens publication, was the result of a project, started in 1991, called the Mycenae Survey. This project aimed to map and record on a database the known remains of greater Mycenae, drawing from all of the available excavation data and accounts of visitors to Mycenae. The last major survey of the area to produce a map had been undertaken by Bernhard Steffan in 1886. The project was collaboratively directed by Elizabeth French, then the Director of the British School at Athens, and Professor Spyros Iakovidis on behalf of the Archaeological Society.

The project involved data entry of information in archival materials, including the excavation notebooks in this archive, as well as data from a field survey of visual remains. The field survey, which utilised an Electronic Distance Measurer, took place between 1991 and and 1993, with editing and database work in 1994 and 1995. The surveyors and archaeologists involved located, identified and mapped all visible remains across 32 hectares, including more than 750 sites, structures, buildings, guard towers, beacons, wall remains, tombs, roads, and bridges. The team included members of the British School at Athens, the Ephorate, the University of Pennsylvania, University of Manchester, University of Leuven, West Sussex College of Art, University of Cardiff and the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.

The material was arranged by the donor at file level. Material has subsequently been broadly arranged in three sub-series:

• 1. Mycenae Survey
• 2. Archaeological Atlas
• 3. Photographic

Maps used or produced during the survey are catalogued and stored with the Maps, Plans and Drawings Series.

Dr Elizabeth French

A detailed spreadsheet catalogue is available. Most material in this series was not card indexed.

Appraisal for this material is beyond the scope of the 2016 arrangement and cataloguing project. All records have been kept.

Iakovidis, Sp. and E. French, Archaeological Atlas of Mycenae, Library of the Athens Archaeological Society 229, Athens 2003.