Schliemann

Heinrich Schliemann (born 6 January 1822 – died 26 December 1890) was a German businessman and archaeologist who is often regarded as a founder of modern field archaeology. He is best known for excavations at Hisarlik in present-day Turkey, which he identified as ancient Troy, and for work at Mycenae in Greece.

Schliemann built his wealth as a businessman in the 19th century and funded his archaeological projects largely from his own fortune, pursuing his interests independently of state sponsorship or academic patronage.

At Hisarlik, beginning in 1871, he conducted large-scale trenches and sought to reveal the city described in Homer. He identified multiple settlement layers and concluded that Troy VI–VII corresponded to the legendary Troy. In 1873 he uncovered a hoard later known as Priam’s Treasure, which was sent to Berlin. His publications popularized the idea of a historic Troy but his methods and interpretations drew criticism for destructive digging, limited stratigraphic recording, and tentative dating.

In 1876 Schliemann led excavations at Mycenae in Greece, where he uncovered the Lion Gate, the citadel walls, and the Shaft Graves in Grave Circle A. He also excavated a gold funeral mask associated with the site, often called the Mask of Agamemnon, though its dating and attribution are disputed.

Schliemann’s career helped establish modern archaeological practice and the study of Bronze Age Greece, but it remains controversial. Critics point to his aggressive digging and tendency to fit discoveries to literary narratives, while supporters credit him with pioneering excavation techniques and popularizing ancient history.