16th-century BC Gold death mask that Schliemann incorrectly identified as the mask of Agamemnon.
On display in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens in Greece.
Description in the museum:
Finds from Grave V, Grave Circle A, Mycenae. 16th century BC
Gold death-mask, known as the ‘mask of Agamemnon’. This mask depicts the imposing face of a bearded man. It is made of a gold sheet with repoussé details. Two holes near the ears indicate that the mask was held in place over the deceased’s face with twine (624)
The Telegram from Heinrich Schliemann to King George I
November 16/28, 1876
Your Majesty, it is with great pleasure that l inform you that I have discovered the tombs which, according to Pausanias’ account, belong to Agamemnon, Cassandra and their comrades who were murdered by Clytaemnestra and her paramour, Aegisthus, during a feast. The tombs are enclosed within a double stone circle, something which would only have been erected in honour of exalted personages. Inside the tombs, I have discovered fabulous treasures and ancient objects of solid gold. These treasures alone are enough to fill a large museum which will become the most famous in the world and will attract myriads of foreigners to Greece from every land. Since I work out of sheer love of science, I naturally make no claim on these treasures and enthusiastically make them over, in their entirety, to Greece. May these treasures be the foundation of immeasurable national wealth.