The Kamilari tholos tomb is located on a low hill near the sea and 1.9 kilometres south west of Ayia Triada and therefore also very close to Phaistos. The ground was levelled before the foundations of the tomb were laid and it is thought that the tomb had a stone roof. To the east of the tomb there is an annexe of five rooms and north of these there was an area for offerings. It was here that the earliest pottery from the tomb was found together with some small stone vases. All the vessels had been placed upside down. Altogether 500 vases have been found in the area outside the tomb and 250 inside the tomb. Clay sealings have also been found.

The most interesting finds at Kamilari date from the LM IIIA burials, the last to be carried out here. Among the finds were three clay models depicting various scenes. One scene shows a banquet being offered to the dead. The religious nature of the event is clear from the horns of consecration and doves which have been attached to the clay model. The second scene shows two people standing in front of four seated people. It is possible that these two are making offerings to the dead. The final scene is of a group of dancers, dancing in a way which is very similar to the traditional Greek dances still to be seen on the island. These finds are on display in the Heraklion Museum.

The internal diameter of the tholos tomb is 7.65 metres and the annexe was probably added at a later date, perhaps during MM IIIA. The tomb does not have a trilitho entrance but a built entrance, with a large capstone, all of which is very well preserved. Although the tomb is fenced in, the gate is now left unlocked so it is possible to enter the site. Kamilari remains a very imposing structure and is well worth a visit. The views of the surrounding countryside are also quite spectacular.

Spring 2008. Good news. The walls of the annexe have been replastered and a wall which had collapsed has been rebuilt. The annexe is now looking really good.

More photos of the Kamilari tomb