The Prehistoric cemetery at Mycenae originates with Grave Circle A and adjacent graves under the Ramp House, South House and House of the Warrior Vase, all situated within the fortified acropolis. It extends well beyond the citadel to the north-west, towards the Hellenistic city walls. A. J. B. Wace and his team began to explore this extra-mural cemetery from 1939 onwards, locating 15 graves in that first excavation season. Work continued to uncover the Prehistoric cemetery during the excavation seasons of 1950, 1952 and 1953.