In 1991 the archaeologist Lazaros Kolonas discovered a beehive-shaped tomb whilst on an archaeoligical dig on the outskirts of Tzanata near the village of Poros in the south of Kefalonia. The tomb or Tholos dates back to the Mycenaean period and measures 6.80 meters in diameter.
There have been claims that this is the burial place of Odysseus himself. The tomb itself is of the type used to bury Greek royalty in ancient times and the Tzanata excavation is the largest royal tomb in NE Greece with the remains of over 70 persons found.
Homer's Odysssey tells the story of Odysseus' return to Ithaca and, still disguised, he talks of meting Odysseus on his travels and describes a gold brooch that he was wearing on that occasion. Gold jewellery, royal seals and precious stones were just some of the excavated finds from the tomb which can be seen in the Argostoli museum - including a gold brooch matching the description mentioned in the Odyssey.
Many locals in Poros believe that the tree-clad Mount Neriton refers to today's Mount Ainos which dominates which can be seen from many miles away. If Mount Ainos is indeed the impressive mountain towering above the wine-dark sea, does this mean that Nymph's Cave refers to Kefalonia's Melisani lake? It does indee fit the description of a spacious, dark cave wit large stalactites and deep blue water to be found in the Odysey.
Myth and mystery still surround these Homeric stories but in spite of the claims that this was the tomb of the royal King Odysseus, it is generally believed to be the royal tomb of about 100 years later around 1400 BC. royalty, circa 1400 BC.
Whatever the claims, it is still just about the most important historical find on Kefalonia (or Ithaca) to date. The archaeological site can be easily be found near Tzanata village and is sign-posted from Poros.
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