Vaphio

Vaphio, Vafio or Vapheio is an ancient site in Laconia, Greece, on the right bank of the Eurotas, some 5 mi (8.0 km) south of Sparta. It is famous for its tholos or beehive tomb, excavated in 1889 by Christos Tsountas. This consists of a walled approach, about 97 ft (30 m) long, leading to a vaulted chamber some 33 ft (10 m) in diameter, in the floor of which the actual grave was cut.^[1] The tomb suffered considerable damage in the decades following its excavation.^[1] During conservation work in 1962 the walls were restored to a height of about 6 m (20 ft).^[2]

The main objects found there were transferred to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, where many remain on display. Many are regarded as Minoan art, while others are thought to have been made on mainland Greece. The pottery in the tomb dates to around 1500 to 1450 BC, but the gold and carved gem seals might have been old when buried. The Cretan one of the famous pair of gold Vaphio Cups perhaps dates to the previous century.^[3]