Monumenta

Tombs are an important source for reconstructing ancient social structures. The region of Messenia in south-western Peloponnese was a centre of the Middle and Late Helladic culture (2100/2000–1200 BC). Basis of the present study of tombs in Messenia is a catalogue of 57 find-spots with about 240 tombs. With an analysis of the topographical setting of the tombs, of their architecture and of the burial gifts which were found, the book offers a contribution to the better understanding of the social hierarchies and the political changes that took place during this phase of Greek history.