In the earliest chapters of Greek history, it was customary for families to inter their deceased within their homes, perhaps as a means to gain favour from the spirits of the departed and keep them close. Over time, this practice shifted as communities collectively chose to establish designated burial sites outside city limits, distancing themselves from the perceived contamination associated with dead bodies. These cemeteries were typically situated along main roads, serving both practical accessibility and the societal need to showcase wealth and influence through elaborate funerary monuments.

Located to the west of Demeter’s sanctuary, flanking the road to Megara, was Eleusis’ principal burial site, often referred to as the “West Cemetery”. Pioneering archaeologists Ioannis Travlos, Konstantinos Kourouniotis, and Georgios Mylonas excavated this necropolis, unveiling 417 graves rich in funerary offerings. The site’s use spanned from the Bronze Age (circa 1800 BCE) to the Late Roman era (3rd century CE).

The West Cemetery holds particular significance as the primary burial ground of the prehistoric inhabitants of Eleusis. Notably, almost half of the excavated graves (166 burials) date back to the Middle and Late Bronze Age (1800-1190 BCE). These early tombs were predominantly simple, box-shaped pits lined with four vertical stone slabs and sealed with a large slab. Initially designed for a single body in a foetal position, earlier remains were moved aside to accommodate subsequent inhumations.

Over time, burial practices evolved, with tombs becoming larger and more systematically arranged in clusters, often housing multiple interments. The burial offerings grew richer, typically including vases, cups, gemstone necklaces, and bronze knives, reflecting an advancement towards greater material comfort and affluence in the community. This shift allowed for more elaborate tributes to the deceased.

In the latter half of the 8th century BCE, Eleusinians revisited and examined six prehistoric graves. These were then filled with pebbles and stones, isolated from the rest of the cemetery by a stone barrier. This segregated cluster, subsequently not used for further burials, was revered as a heroon (a shrine dedicated to a hero). Archaeologist George Mylonas postulated that this enclosed area served as the final resting place of the seven heroes who perished in battle at the gates of Cadmus’s city during their campaign against Thebes.