Gemstones in Mycenaean Greece: Their use and significance

This study focuses on the use and significance of gemstones in Greece during the Mycenaean period, drawing largely on material from sites in the Argolid, Messenia and Attica. In order to identify traces of tools an experiment was held at the National Museum at Athens, in 1998, on small stone objects from the Museum's collection. Dr. Stamatatou using a stereoscope compared the trace marks of known tools used today with those that were observed on the Late Bronze Age stone objects.

Stamatatou's large catalogue (1484 semi precious finds), includes information on object type, material, technique of production, provenance and context which helps to build a picture of the function and use of gemstones and their place in late Bronze Age society and belief systems.