Schliemanns

Schliemann is a surname of German origin. It is most famously associated with Heinrich Schliemann, a German businessman and archaeologist. He is widely credited with discovering the archaeological site of Troy in modern-day Turkey. Schliemann was born in Neubukow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, on January 6, 1822, and died in Naples, Italy, on December 26, 1890.

Despite lacking formal archaeological training, Schliemann pursued his lifelong fascination with the ancient world and the epics of Homer. He amassed a fortune through his business ventures, which he then used to fund his excavations. His most significant work took place at Hissarlik, the mound believed to be the site of ancient Troy. Through his excavations, he identified multiple layers of settlement, which he controversially labeled as "Priam's Treasure."

While Schliemann's methods were often criticized by later archaeologists for being destructive and lacking scientific rigor, his discoveries undeniably brought the ancient sites of the Aegean and Anatolia into the realm of tangible history. His work, though controversial, laid the groundwork for future systematic archaeological investigations in the region. Beyond Troy, he also conducted excavations at Mycenae and Tiryns in Greece, uncovering significant Bronze Age artifacts and structures. The legacy of Schliemann is complex, marked by both pioneering spirit and methodological shortcomings.