When Homer penned the Iliad in the 8th century BCE, the tale of the Trojan War was already legendary. People knew the stories of the prolonged siege, the epic battles outside the city walls, and the ingenious trick that led to the Greeks’ victory. Ultimately, the grand city of Troy was said to have been destroyed, never to rise again. But was Troy ever real?
By the 19th century, as archaeology began to flourish, many dismissed the Iliad as mere fiction or a myth glorifying a heroic past. Yet, some scholars believed that behind the tales of gods and heroes lay a sliver of historical truth—a real war and a real place where it happened.
Frank Calvert was one of those who believed in the historical basis of Troy. He spent his early years studying ancient civilizations before joining his brother Frederick on a diplomatic mission to the Çanakkale region in northwest Anatolia. This area was where Homer described the Greek camp at the mouth of the Scamander River. Calvert’s path crossed with Charles Maclaren, a journalist and geologist. Locals had long speculated that Troy might have been on one of the nearby hills, and Maclaren published a detailed study suggesting a 32-meter mound called Hisarlık, meaning “fortress” in Turkish, as the site of Troy.
In 1847, after meeting Maclaren, the Calverts purchased 2,000 acres of farmland that included part of Hisarlık. However, their archaeological pursuits were postponed due to the Crimean War. After the war, Frank Calvert began surveying the site but lacked the resources for a full excavation. Enter Heinrich Schliemann, a wealthy German businessman and amateur archaeologist. Invited by Calvert, Schliemann visited the site in 1868 and decided to excavate. Driven by the desire to find the ancient city, Schliemann dug deep trenches, uncovering numerous artifacts, jewelry, and metalwork, including diadems and a copper shield. He claimed to have discovered Troy and the treasure of its king, Priam.
However, subsequent archaeologists found that the mound contained nine cities, each built over the ruins of its predecessor. The layer Schliemann unearthed belonged to the Mycenaean Age, over a thousand years too early for Homer’s Troy. Yet, within the mound, evidence of a city from the Bronze Age emerged. Charred stones, broken arrowheads, and damaged human skeletons suggested a violent end. This was Troy VII, located in the middle layers and partially damaged by Schliemann’s excavation. This settlement, covering about 200,000 square meters and housing up to 10,000 people, flourished until around 1180 BCE. Its strategic location at the entrance of the Dardanelles Strait made it significant for defense and trade.
Most intriguingly, remains of a massive fortification wall were found—possibly the same wall from which Priam and Hector watched the Greeks approach. While it’s challenging to definitively prove these ruins are the remains of ancient Troy, and scholars still debate whether the Trojan War occurred as Homer described, the evidence is compelling enough for UNESCO to designate Hisarlık as the archaeological site of Troy. Regardless of its true identity, thanks to perseverance, a touch of belief, and thorough research, archaeologists continue to uncover the secrets of this ancient, lost city.
Delve into the archaeological methods used by Frank Calvert and Heinrich Schliemann. Prepare a presentation on how these techniques have evolved over time and discuss their impact on the discovery of ancient sites like Troy. Consider the ethical implications of early excavation practices and how modern archaeology addresses these issues.
Engage in a debate with your classmates on whether the story of Troy is more myth or historical reality. Use evidence from the article and additional scholarly sources to support your arguments. This activity will help you critically analyze historical narratives and understand the complexities of interpreting ancient texts.
Take a virtual tour of the archaeological site of Hisarlık. As you explore, take notes on the different layers of the city and the artifacts found. Reflect on how these findings contribute to our understanding of ancient civilizations and their interactions. Share your insights in a group discussion.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a resident of ancient Troy during the time of the Trojan War. Use historical details from the article to enrich your narrative. This exercise will help you empathize with historical figures and better grasp the cultural context of the era.
Analyze maps of the ancient world to understand the strategic significance of Troy’s location. Discuss how its position at the entrance of the Dardanelles Strait might have influenced trade and military strategies. Present your findings in a report, highlighting the geopolitical factors that made Troy a focal point in ancient times.
When Homer’s *Iliad* was first written down in the 8th century BCE, the story of the Trojan War was already well-known. Audiences were familiar with the tales of the long siege, the epic duels outside the city walls, and the clever trick that ultimately led to victory. In the end, the magnificent city was destroyed, never to rise again. But did it ever exist? By the time archaeology began to develop in the 19th century, many were skeptical, viewing the epic as pure fiction or a founding myth of a heroic past. However, some scholars believed there was a kernel of historical truth behind the superhuman feats and divine miracles—a real war and a location where it occurred.
Frank Calvert was one such believer. He spent his youth learning about ancient civilizations before joining his brother Frederick on a diplomatic mission to the northwest Anatolian region of Çanakkale. It was here that Homer described the Greek encampment at the mouth of the Scamander River. Fate brought Frank into contact with a journalist and geologist named Charles Maclaren. Locals had long speculated that Troy might have been located on one of the nearby hilltops. Maclaren was among the first to publish a detailed topographical study of the area and believed he had found the site—a 32-meter mound known as Hisarlık, derived from the Turkish word for “fortress.”
Soon after meeting Maclaren in 1847, the Calverts purchased 2,000 acres of farmland that included part of the hill. However, their archaeological ambitions were delayed by the outbreak of the Crimean War. After the war, Frank Calvert began to survey the site but lacked the funds for a full excavation. This is where Heinrich Schliemann, a wealthy German businessman and amateur archaeologist, came into the picture. At Calvert’s invitation, Schliemann visited the site in 1868 and decided to excavate. Eager to find the ancient city, Schliemann dug extensive trenches down to the base of the hill, uncovering a wealth of artifacts, jewelry, and metalwork, including two diadems and a copper shield. He claimed to have found Troy and the treasure of its king Priam.
However, later archaeologists discovered that the mound consisted of no less than nine cities, each built atop the ruins of the previous one. The layer Schliemann uncovered dated back to the Mycenaean Age, more than 1,000 years too early for Homer. Yet, within the mound, there was evidence of a city that thrived during the Bronze Age, with charred stone, broken arrowheads, and damaged human skeletons suggesting a violent end. This was Troy VII, located in the middle layers and damaged by Schliemann’s excavation. The settlement, covering about 200,000 square meters and home to as many as 10,000 people, thrived until around 1180 BCE. Its strategic position at the southern entrance of the Dardanelles Strait would have made it significant for both defense and trade.
Most importantly, there are remains of a massive fortification wall—possibly the same one from which Priam and Hector watched the Greeks approach. While it is challenging to confirm that these ruins are the true remains of ancient Troy, and scholars still debate whether the Trojan War as described by Homer actually occurred, the evidence is compelling enough that UNESCO has designated Hisarlık as the archaeological site of Troy. Regardless of its identity, thanks to persistence, a bit of faith, and extensive research, archaeologists are uncovering the long-buried secrets of an ancient, lost city.
Troy – An ancient city in northwest Asia Minor, which was the setting of the Trojan War as described in the Iliad. – The archaeological site of Troy provides valuable insights into the ancient civilizations of the Aegean region.
Archaeology – The scientific study of material remains of past human life and activities. – Archaeology has revealed much about the daily lives of ancient civilizations through the excavation of artifacts and structures.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history allows us to learn from past societies and their successes and failures.
Iliad – An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, detailing the events of the Trojan War. – The Iliad has been a crucial source for historians studying the cultural and military aspects of ancient Greece.
Schliemann – Heinrich Schliemann, a German archaeologist known for his work in discovering the site of ancient Troy. – Schliemann’s excavations at Hisarlik were pivotal in confirming the historical basis of the Trojan War.
Artifacts – Objects made or modified by humans, typically an item of cultural or historical interest. – The discovery of artifacts such as pottery and tools helps archaeologists piece together the lifestyles of ancient peoples.
Bronze – An alloy of copper and tin, used extensively in tools, weapons, and art during the Bronze Age. – The transition to bronze tools marked a significant technological advancement in early civilizations.
Excavation – The process of systematically uncovering archaeological remains through the removal of soil and other materials. – The excavation of ancient ruins can provide a wealth of information about historical societies and their environments.
Civilization – A complex human society characterized by the development of cities, social classes, and a centralized government. – The rise of the Mesopotamian civilization marked the beginning of urban development and written history.
Fortification – A defensive military construction designed to protect against enemy attacks. – The fortifications of ancient cities like Troy were crucial for their defense against invading forces.
