The original excavation of the Mycenaean Princely Tholos Tomb at Tzannata (near Poros, Cephalonia) represents a landmark event in the search for the administrative center of Homeric Ithaca, revealing the largest known beehive tomb in northwestern Greece.

The Discovery (1991)

The site was identified on September 3, 1991, following a surface survey by Makis Metaxas. Acting on advice from archaeologist Dr. Lazaros Kolonas to search near water sources, Metaxas explored the foothills of Bourtzi (Borzi) Hill. A local farmer, Dionysis Konstantatos, directed him to a pile of carved stones that had been used years earlier to build a nearby bridge. Upon clearing the dense vegetation, Metaxas discovered the earthen-covered dromos (entrance road) of a Mycenaean tholos tomb.

After an initial inspection by archaeologist Adamantia Vasilogamvrou, Dr. Kolonas confirmed the monument's significance and scheduled a formal excavation for the following year.

The Original Dig (1992–1994)

The systematic excavation began on June 22, 1992, under the direction of Dr. Lazaros Kolonas, then Supervisor of the 6th Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities,,. He was assisted by archaeologists Giannis Moschos and Niki Chrysafi, along with a specialized technical team.

Structural Revelations:

• Dimensions: The tomb features a diameter of 6.80 to 6.90 meters, a preserved height of 3.95 meters, and a long, covered stomion (entrance) measuring 3.35 meters,,.

• Layered Construction: The excavation revealed that the monument was built atop a smaller, older tholos tomb that had collapsed around 1350 BC,,. Material from the original structure was found embedded in the vault of the newer, larger tomb,.

• Burial Cists: Beneath the tomb's floor, archaeologists found built cist graves used for the primary burials of high-ranking officials and the local elite,,.

Key Archaeological Finds

Despite being looted in antiquity and suffering a partial dome collapse during the Venetian period, the dig yielded extraordinary artifacts.

• Artifacts: Significant finds included seal stones, gold jewelry, and high-quality Mycenaean pottery,.

• The Ossuary: Near the tholos, the team discovered a built quadrilateral chamber tomb used as an οστεοφυλάκιο (ossuary),,. It contained the skeletal remains of approximately 72 to 73 individuals, representing a unique funerary practice for the region,.

• Faunal Remains: In addition to human remains, the tomb contained offerings of sheep, goats, dogs, cattle, a rare horse, and what is considered the oldest cat remains ever found in Greece.

Historical and Homeric Significance

The excavation proved that southeastern Cephalonia was a powerful Mycenaean center with translocal significance, thriving for over 300 years. Dr. Kolonas and other scholars maintain that this site likely served as the epicenter of power for the "great-hearted Cephalonians" and is the most credible candidate for the palatial seat of Odysseus.

The Tzannata tholos tomb serves as an archaeological anchor; just as its massive stones were repurposed from an older age to build a grander monument, the site itself bridges the gap between the physical remains of the Bronze Age and the legendary verses of the Homeric epics.

Selected bibliography concerning the specific area and the Mycenaean presence on the islands of Kefalonia.

• John T. Pierce, “Homer’s Influence on Mycenaean Archaeology and the Understanding of Late Helladic Historical Geography” (John T. Pierce, Professor Emeritus, Departments of Geography and Archaeology, Simon Fraser University, Canada.) https://jaa.thebrpi.org/journals/jaa/Vol_12_2024/1.pdf

• John Albanese: (2020). “Some Preliminary Finds from the Tholos Tomb and Ossuary at Borzi Hill, Tzannata, Kefalonia.” Revista Maracanan 22. Available at: http://seer.unirio.br/revistam/article/view/11211/10988.

• Klavs Randsborg, KEPHALLENIA: Archaeology & History, The Ancient Greek Cities, BLACKWELL MUNKSGAARD Vol. 1 & 2, 2002.

• Lazaros Kolonas: “Tzannata of Poros,” Archaiologikon Deltion, vol. 47 (1992), part B1, Chronika, pp. 154–157.

• Lazaros Kolonas: archaiologia.gr/print-article/?print=35604

• Lazaros Kolonas: “Built Chamber Tomb at Tzannata of Poros, Cephalonia,” Kephalliniaka Chronika, vol. 11, pp. 381–382.

• Lazaros Kolonas: Proceedings of the Conference on Letters, History and Folklore of the Pronnon region, “The Tholos Tomb of Tzannata of Poros,” p. 339.

• Lazaros Kolonas: “The geographic advantage, the relief and the prehistory of an area, decisive factors for the foundation of a Mycenaean installation. The example of Cephalonia,” Proceedings of the XI Panionian International Conference, Argostoli Kefalonia2018, vol. 5, pp. 111–122.

• Lazaros Kolonas: “Ancient Installations of Southeastern Cephalonia,” 7th Panionian Conference, vol. 2, pp. 37–45, Lefkada 2002.

• Antonis Vasilakis: ttp://www.elliniki-gnomi.eu/archives/47791 “‘Odysseus was king of the Cephalonians’” | ELLINIKI GNOMI.

• Antonis Vasilakis: Kefallonia Newspaper, interview with Dr. Antonis Vasilakis by Athanasia Markatou & archaiologia.gr/print-article/?print=35604

• Antonis Vasilakis: “Mycenaean settlement at Tzannata of Poros, Cephalonia,” archaiologia.gr/?p=35604

• Antonis Vasilakis (Honorary Director, Ministry of Culture; Former Ephor of Antiquities of Cephalonia–Ithaca & Zakynthos): “Mycenaean Seminar: Late Helladic Apsidal / Ellipsoid (Ovoid) Megaron at Tzannata of Poros, Cephalonia.”

• Antonis Vasilakis: “Late Helladic Ellipsoidal Megaron at Tzannata of Poros. New evidence for the Late Helladic period in Cephalonia,” Proceedings of the 1A Panionion Conference 2018, vol. 5, pp. 51–74.  https://www.openbook.gr/ia-diethnes-panionio-synedrio/

• Ioannis Moschos, “Mycenaean occupation in Cephalonia. Population nuclei, list of sites and conclusions,” 7th Panionian Conference announcement, Lefkada, 2002.

• Ioannis Moschos, “The Area of Pronnon and the eastern coast of Cephalonia before history, topography of the island, catalogue of sites and conclusions,” Proceedings of the Pronnon Region Conference 2005, pp. 227–324.

• Odysseas Metaxas, “Observations on the early biography of the Odyssey,” 2020, Kymothoe magazine, vol. 30, pp. 55–84.

• Odysseas Metaxas: Diverging trajectories within the west Mycenaean koine: the evidence from Kefalonia. (book chapter) In Archaeology of the Ionian Sea, Oxbow Books (2022) 10.2307/j.ctv22fqc0s.18 (pp. 169-178)

• Odysseas Metaxas: “Archaeolinguistic elements from Cephalonia,” 1A Panionian Conference 2018, vol. IV, pp. 751–769. https://www.openbook.gr/ia-diethnes-panionio-synedrio/

• Ioannis Boskos & Odysseas Metaxas: “The Tholos Tomb of Mavrata 80 years later,” Proceedings of the 1A Panionion Conference 2018, 5th volume, pp. 125–137. https://panionio.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/04-boskos-metaxas-sel.-123-138_m.pdf

• Georgia Stratouli, Odysseas Metaxas, Anastasios Bekiaris, Anagia Sarpaki: “Practical social cohesions in the Neolithic of the Ionian: readings of archaeological material from the Drakaina Cave in Poros, Cephalonia,” 11th International Panionian Conference (Corfu, 30 April – 4 May 2014), published in the Proceedings 2017.

• E. M. Chatziotou–G. Stratouli–E. Kotzambopoulou, “The Cave of Drakaina,” Archaeological Proceedings of Athens (1989), pp. 31–60 & Evangelia-Miranda Chatziotou, Georgia Stratouli, “The Drakaina Cave at Poros Cephalonia: evidence for prehistoric use and cult in historical times,” Proceedings of the 6th Panionian Conference, vol. A, pp. 61–76.

• Stamatina Zapanti, “The participation of the Pronnon of Cephalonia in the Athenian Alliance,” Keph. Chronika, vol. 5, pp. 193–200.

• Olympia Vikatos, “In the footsteps of the Taphians pirates: their wanderings in the Ionian Sea during the Late Bronze Age and the Dark Ages,” Proceedings Proceedings of the XI Panionian International Conference, Argostoli Kefalonia 2018, pp. 75–110.

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood, Archaeology and the Search for Homeric Ithaca: The Case of Mycenaean Kephalonia Article in Acta Archaeologica · December 2018

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood,  Reuse and cult at the Mycenaean tombs of Kephalonia in the ancient historical periods. July 2020 In book: Proceedings of the XI Panionian International Conference, Argostoli Kefalonia 2018 (pp.223-242)

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood, The Ionian Islands in the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (3000-850 BC), 2nd edition. August 2025 Publisher: Liverpool University Press.

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood,  Islands in the stream:: a maritime perspective of the south-central Ionian islands in the Late Bronze Age, January 2022 DOI:10.2307/j.ctv22fqc0s.15 In book: Archaeology of the Ionian Sea (pp.117-136)

• Christina Souyoudzoglou-Haywood,  Archaeology of the Ionian Sea: Landscapes, seascapes and the circulation of people, goods and ideas from the Palaeolithic to the end of the Bronze Age January 2022 Publisher: OXBOW BOOKS 

• Petros Petratos, “From Heracles to the Dragon. Arakli and the strait of Poros,” Proceedings 1st Conference on the Letters, History and Folklore of the Pronnon region, Cephalonia 2005, pp. 379–395.

• Petros Petratos, “Homeric Nymph Cave: Melissani Cave,” Keph. Chronika vol. 8, 2003, pp. 239–265.

• Petros Petratos, “The Homeric Krokyleia,” Kephalliniaka Chronika, vol. 9, 2003, pp. 155–165.

• Marinatos, Spyridon N. 1962. Kefallinia: A Historical and Archaeological Walk.
  (Πρωτότυπο: Κεφαλληνία. Ιστορικός και αρχαιολογικός περίπατος)

• Marinatos, Spyridon.1923 (for the years 1920–21).“Archaeological Investigations throughout Cephalonia.”(Πρωτότυπο: «Αρχαιολογικαί έρευναι ανά την Κεφαλληνίαν»)

• Marinatos, Spyridon. 1932. “The Goekoop Excavations in Cephalonia.” (Πρωτότυπο: «Αι ανασκαφαί Goekoop εν Κεφαλληνία»)

• Marinatos, Spyridon. 1933. “The Goekoop Excavations in Cephalonia (Part II).”
  (Πρωτότυπο: «Αι ανασκαφαί Goekoop εν Κεφαλληνία» — συνέχεια του προηγούμενου τόμου)

• Marinatos, Spyridon. 1951. “Excavations in Cephalonia.” (Πρωτότυπο: «Ανασκαφαί εν Κεφαλληνία»)

• Marinatos, Spyridon. 1964 (published 1967). “Investigations in Sami of Cephalonia.”
  (Πρωτότυπο: «Έρευναι εν Σάμη της Κεφαλληνίας»)

• Henriette Putman Gramer – Gerasimos Metaxas, Homeric Ithaca: An unidentified Mycenaean center in the islands of the Cephalonians, Cactus Editions, Athens 2000.

• Henriette Metaxas-Putman Cramer, Makis Metaxas, Jan Pierce, John Pierce.
  "IN far SEEN ITHACA Unravelling Homeric Riddles in the Ionian Sea" (forthcoming).

• Athens APE-MPE: “The most important archaeological events in Greece in 2011,” scientists speaking to APE-MPE, 28 Dec. 2011.

• Vaggelis Pantazis, “The size of Homeric Ithaca,” Kephalliniaka Chronika, vol. 8, Argostoli 1999, p. 271.