The excavation of Troy by Heinrich Schliemann is one of the most significant archaeological achievements of the 19th century. Schliemann was a German businessman and amateur archaeologist who firmly believed that the legendary city of Troy, described in Homer’s Iliad, was a real place. His passion and determination led him to conduct excavations at Hisarlik, Turkey, where he claimed to have discovered the ancient city.
But when exactly did Heinrich Schliemann excavate Troy? In this topic, we will explore the timeline of his excavations, his methods, and their impact on the field of archaeology.
Schliemann’s Passion for Troy
Early Fascination with Homer’s Epics
Born in 1822 in Germany, Heinrich Schliemann developed an early interest in Greek mythology and ancient history. He was especially captivated by Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, which described the legendary Trojan War.
Unlike many scholars of his time, who believed Troy was purely a myth, Schliemann was convinced that it was a real city that had once existed. His lifelong ambition was to locate and excavate the ruins of Troy to prove that the Trojan War had historical foundations.
Identifying the Site of Troy
In the 19th century, scholars debated the actual location of ancient Troy. Many believed it had never existed, while others suggested various locations in Turkey.
Schliemann carefully studied Homer’s descriptions of Troy’s geography, particularly its position near the Hellespont (modern-day Dardanelles Strait). His research, combined with the work of Frank Calvert, led him to focus on the site of Hisarlik, in present-day Turkey.
The Excavation of Troy (1871-1890)
First Excavation (1871-1873)
Schliemann began his first excavation at Hisarlik in 1871, using local laborers to dig deep into the site. His goal was to find the legendary walls of Troy, as described in the Iliad.
In 1873, after two years of excavation, Schliemann made a major discovery-he uncovered massive stone walls and a collection of golden artifacts, which he named ‘Priam’s Treasure,’ after the legendary King Priam of Troy.
Among the artifacts were:
â Gold necklaces and earrings
â Silver and bronze weapons
â Ornate drinking cups
Believing he had found Homer’s Troy, Schliemann smuggled the treasure out of Turkey to Germany, which later led to legal disputes with the Ottoman government.
Further Excavations (1878-1890)
Schliemann’s initial discovery was just the beginning. He returned to Troy in 1878 and continued excavations until his death in 1890.
His later excavations revealed that Hisarlik contained multiple layers of ancient cities, with at least nine different settlements built on top of each other over thousands of years.
Archaeologists now believe that the layer identified as ‘Homeric Troy’ is Troy VII, which existed around 1200 BCE, the period traditionally associated with the Trojan War. However, the treasures Schliemann discovered belonged to Troy II, an earlier city from around 2500 BCE.
Schliemann’s Archaeological Methods
The Destructive Digging Process
Schliemann’s excavation techniques were highly controversial. Instead of carefully preserving each historical layer, he dug straight down, destroying valuable archaeological evidence from later periods.
In his eagerness to reach what he believed was Homer’s Troy, he removed and damaged important artifacts, making it difficult for future archaeologists to accurately study the site.
Collaboration with Wilhelm Dà¶rpfeld
Recognizing the limitations of his methods, Schliemann later worked with Wilhelm Dà¶rpfeld, a professional archaeologist who helped refine excavation techniques. Dà¶rpfeld’s studies confirmed that Troy consisted of multiple cities built over time, including the Bronze Age city that likely existed during the Trojan War.
Impact of Schliemann’s Discovery
1. Proving Troy’s Existence
Before Schliemann’s excavations, many scholars dismissed Troy as a myth. His discoveries provided tangible proof that an ancient city existed at Hisarlik, confirming that Troy was a real historical place.
2. Advancing Archaeology
Although Schliemann’s methods were crude and destructive, his work pioneered modern archaeology. His passion for historical accuracy inspired later excavations and the development of better archaeological techniques.
3. Inspiring Further Research
After Schliemann’s death in 1890, other archaeologists, including Carl Blegen, continued excavations at Troy. Their research provided a more accurate timeline of the city’s history and confirmed that Troy VII was the most likely candidate for Homer’s Troy.
Heinrich Schliemann excavated Troy between 1871 and 1890, making one of the most famous discoveries in archaeology. His work proved the existence of an ancient city at Hisarlik, even though his excavation techniques caused significant damage.
Today, Troy remains one of the most studied ancient sites in the world, attracting scholars and visitors eager to explore the city that once inspired Homer’s epic tales.