Heinrich Schliemann: the genius discoverer of Troy or archaeology's greatest conman?

Heinrich Schliemann was a German businessman and archaeologist, renowned for his excavations of the ancient city of Troy.

Despite his controversial methods, he is now recognized as a pivotal figure in the field of archaeology.

His discoveries, particularly of Mycenaean treasures, have had lasting significance.

Born in 1822 in Beubukow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, Heinrich Schliemann was captivated from a young age by the ancient stories of the Trojan War that his mother used to narrate.

These tales, attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, inspired him to vow to find the lost city of Troy.

Schliemann's father, a modestly earning pastor, struggled to keep his family afloat. Upon completing his education, Schliemann ventured into various business roles.

In 1841, at nineteen, Schliemann embarked on a journey across the globe. He made significant fortunes through diverse business ventures.

These included being a general merchant, a banker, and a military contractor during the Crimean War.

Later, settling in St Petersburg, Russia, he successfully established a business importing German goods into Russia, further solidifying his financial standing.

In 1868, Schliemann journeyed throughout Greece and Turkey in search of the site of Troy, ultimately identifying Hissarlik in present-day Turkey as the potential location.

Earlier archaeologists had already excavated the site of Hissarlik, but their focus had been misplaced.

Schliemann postulated that the city of Troy lay on the lower slopes of the hill.

In 1871, Schliemann initiated excavations at Hissarlik with the aid of local workers, leading to some noteworthy discoveries.

Although his excavation methods have been criticized for their hastiness and destructiveness, Schliemann's team revealed several layers of occupation at the site and unearthed numerous artifacts, including pottery, weapons, and jewelry.

Schliemann first uncovered a Bronze Age layer, which he believed to be the Troy of Homer's tales. Digging deeper, he discovered an even older city, known as Troy II, dating back to around 3000 BC.

The most famous find from this period is the so-called "Treasure of Priam", consisting of gold and silver objects like jewelry, weapons, and armor.

Despite the excitement, its connection to King Priam, the ruler during Homer's Trojan War, is questionable, as the treasure is thought to come from a level predating the traditional time of the Trojan War.

The discovery and Schliemann's smuggling of the "Treasure of Priam" out of Turkey caused an international sensation and scandal.

The treasure was not returned to Turkey but taken to Germany.

Following World War II, it ended up in Russia, where it remains to this day.

Continuing to excavate various Mediterranean sites throughout his life, Schliemann documented his findings in several books.

These works not only popularized archaeology among the general public but also highlighted his discoveries.

In 1876, Schliemann announced his discovery of Mycenae, another ancient city featured in Homer's works.

He asserted that he had found the palace of Agamemnon, the Mycenaean king who, according to Homer, led the Greeks in the Trojan War.

While many archaeologists were skeptical of his claim, asserting that the palace was from a later period, Schliemann's work at Mycenae remains crucial in archaeology's development.

Schliemann passed away in 1890 at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire archaeologists worldwide.

Schliemann's work was a constant subject of debate. Critics argue that his unscientific methods and focus on treasure hunting resulted in substantial archaeological losses.

His use of dynamite at Troy, for instance, has been widely criticized.

While there's no concrete evidence to suggest Schliemann forged any archaeological finds, his interpretations have often been contested.

Yet, Schliemann proved that ancient texts, such as Homer's poems, could guide the discovery and excavation of ancient sites.

His work remains a testament to the potential of finding evidence of events described in myths and legends.