Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 2.djvu/54

 General Characteristics of the Domed-Tombs. 33 or oftener on rising ground, in the mass of a hill of no great height. A deep circular pit was first sunk, of the required dimensions ; these allowed for the thickness of the wall with which the future sepulchral chamber would be surrounded, but whose underground dome would be completely buried out of sight. An exit was cut through the rock at some point of the circumference, and when the tomb was excavated in the flank of a hill, the cutting or corridor debouched on the nearest slope. Into this open passage were thrown the earth and rubbish displaced in the course of the work. As soon as this was completed, the corridor was cleared and used as entrance to the chamber. The circular excavation was carefully levelled out, to form a resisting surface for the first course; and that it should be a firm support for the superimposed beds, larger blocks were used. It may also have been deeper. To verify the truth of this, it were necessary to clear the foot of the wall ; but this as yet has not been done by any of the excavators. Above this first bed was put another, and then another, until the summit was reached ; the rings became smaller and proportion- ately less in height as they rose upwards. Without, the displaced earth and rubbish were heaped up on and around the dome, and made to mount up with the construction. The workmen were thus enabled to use this species of breastwork as scaffolding, and to circulate around at their ease and in perfect security. In this way the last course, formed of a single stone, horizontally placed on the last ring of masonry, was attained. When the tomb was built on flat ground, the movable earth was apt to glide and be washed away by torrential rains. To maintain it in place, a sustaining wall was cast around the base of the artificial mound, remains of which have been found near to several structures.^ To the same end a transverse wall was set up at either end of the passage as soon as it was filled, to prevent the earth from getting into the chamber (Fig. 131), or spreading outside (Fig. 130, y, and PI. III.). Now and again the approach was blocked up at once, at the Heraeum and Spata for instance, where the corridor has a marked inward slope (Fig. 144).^ Without these precau- tionary measures, the circular chamber would have been flooded 1 At Menidi, for example, in the tomb near to the Herseum, and Tomb IT. at Mycenne, as well as at Arkinae. - Athenische Mittheilungen, VOL. II. J.>