The excavations by Klaus Kilian in the Lower Citadel of Tiryns between 1976 and 1983 brought to light one of the most important settlements of the Mycenaean postpalatial period (LH III C). In this study the stratigraphy and architecture of the Lower Citadel from LH III C Early (middle) to LH III C Late are presented, additionally the stratigraphy and architecture of Kilian´s campaigns in the Lower Town-Northwest. Included is a comprehensive study regarding Tiryns in the context of the settlements of the 12th and 11th century BC in the eastern Mediterranean.

The lower citadel of Tiryns is a unique finding of settlements from the Mycenean late palatial and post-palatial periods. It was excavated between 1976 and 1983 under the conduct of Klaus Kilian. This volume comprises the report of the excavation, consisting of phase plans, isometries, planum and profile drawings, as well as photographs.

This volume of the Tiryns series deals with the decorated Mycenaean pottery of the Late Palatial (Late Helladic IIIB2) and Post-Palatial (Late Helladic IIIC) periods from the excavations of Klaus Kilian in the Tirynthian Lower Citadel of Tiryns. The monographical presentation and analysis of an unusually well stratified pottery complex of an Argive Mycenaean centre leads to new insights on the stylistic and morphological development of this kind of pottery. The volume creates a new basis for any future assessment of Mycenaean decorated pottery in one of its main areas of production.

The volume Tiryns XV is dedicated to the publication and analysis of Late Mycenaean Handmade Burnished Ware from the excavations between 1976 and 1983 in the Lower Citadel of Tiryns. Based on the hitherto largest complex of this kind of pottery from Greece the excavator, Klaus Kilian, presents novel insights into the range of shapes and decoration techniques as well as into the changes which can be observed over time. The comprehensive discussion of the derivation of Handmade Burnished Ware leads to the conclusion that it is above all linked to traditions originating in the Apennine peninsula, and it is argued that its appearance should be explained as the reflection of the presence of foreigners from this region. Since the evidence from Tiryns clearly shows, that Handmade Burnished Ware was introduced many decades prior to the final destruction of the palace, its users cannot possibly have been responsible for this event.

This is a presentation and discussion of Late Bronze Age small finds (tools, utensils, jewellery, etc.) of terracotta, stone, bone, faience/glass from Tiryns, one of the most important centres of Mycenaean Greece. The stratigraphical and chronological position of ca 2000 finds within the habitation contexts, the function of the artefacts and the comparative material of other sites in Greece and beyond, as well as the functional history of the lower citadel of Tiryns is discussed in detail. It is one of the few monographic publications about the east Mediterranean Bronze Age, which presents a large number of stratified small finds from a settlement.

Diese Veröffentlichung widmet sich der Analyse neuer Grabungsergebnisse in Tiryns, die unter Einbeziehung aller bisher bekannten archäologischen, epigraphischen und literarischen Zeugnisse erlauben, ein umfassendes Bild von Tiryns und seiner Kulte in archaischer Zeit zu skizzieren. Durch den eingehenden Vergleich mit den Nachbarstädten Argos, Mykene, Asine, Midea sowie dem Heraion von Argos und deren zeitgleichen Entwicklung ergeben sich interessante Aspekte und Anknüpfungspunkte für die gesamte Region Argolis in dieser Epoche.

From 1976 to 1983 the Lower Citadel of Tiryns was excavated under the direction of Klaus Kilian. This volume presents the results of a thorough analysis of the architecture and settlement history during the late Palatial Period and the earliest Postpalatial Period, including also results of the later excavations (2001–2003 and 2004/2005). This c. 50 year period (1250–1200 B.C.) of expansive settlement activities featuring high quality standards in architecture was followed by a destruction catastrophe, which for yet unknown reasons struck the whole citadel. It was the beginning of a new epoch.