The first systematic excavation of the Mycenaean tholos tomb at Voidokoilia (1680-1060 BC) was carried out in the 1950s by Spyridon Marinatos. The excavator considered that it was the burial monument of Thrasymedes, son of the mythical king Nestor, mentioned by Pausanias in his travels. The tomb was partially looted but the remaining grave goods include a number of stone arrowheads, two necklaces with amethyst and sardius beads, four gold sheets, two small Mycenaean clay vessels and other small objects. Investigations in the 1970s by Professor Georgios Korres proved that the tholos tomb was constructed over a tumulus of the Middle Helladic period (2050-1680 BC) with pithos burials. Traces of an Early Helladic settlement (circa 2650-2200 BC), as well as evidence of Neolithic habitation (circa 4000 BC) were found around the tumulus. Numerous terracotta plaques and figurines of the 4th-3rd century BC were found around the tholos tomb and testify to the practice of ancestor worship to a hero. They are possibly connected to a small construction of the Hellenistic period, perhaps an altar, which was interpreted as a heroon.