Excavation of Troy: Unearthing the Legendary City
The excavation of Troy is one of the most iconic and groundbreaking endeavors in the field of archaeology. It not only revealed the remnants of a city rooted in myth and legend but also offered invaluable insight into the early development of European and Mediterranean civilizations.
A City of Legend and Legacy
Troy, famously immortalized in Homer’s The Iliad as the site of the great Trojan War, is located on the mound of Hisarlık, overlooking the plains near the Aegean coast of modern-day Turkey, just 4.8 kilometers from the southern entrance to the Dardanelles. This location has served as a cultural crossroads between Anatolia, the Balkans, and the Aegean, shaping centuries of human migration, trade, and knowledge exchange.
A Century of Discovery
The excavation of Troy began in 1870, led by the determined German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, whose work marked the birth of modern archaeological methods and public fascination with ancient civilizations. Since then, 24 major excavation campaigns over the last 140 years have unearthed complex layers of settlement that span over 4,000 years of human history.
These campaigns have identified nine major cities, each built atop the ruins of the previous, documenting an uninterrupted sequence of settlement. This continuous occupation offers an extraordinary perspective into the evolving cultures that thrived in the region — from the Bronze Age to the Roman Empire and beyond.
Troy Through the Ages
Archaeological efforts have uncovered a wealth of features from different historical periods:
- 23 defensive wall sections and eleven gates surrounding the citadel
- A paved stone ramp and five bastions, mostly dating from Troy II and Troy VI
- The earliest wall segment from Troy I, still visible near the south gate
- The Lower City, now understood to have extended over 30 hectares during the Late Bronze Age
- Greek and Roman-era structures, such as the Temple of Athena, a sanctuary, a bouleuterion (council house), and an odeion (concert hall) beside the agora
Global Significance, Integrity and Authenticity
The Archaeological Site of Troy is recognized under multiple UNESCO World Heritage criteria for its outstanding universal value:
- Criterion (ii): It reflects the cultural interchanges between Anatolia, the Aegean, and the Balkans, marking a pivotal phase in the development of European civilization.
- Criterion (iii): It bears witness to a succession of civilizations over 4,000 years, offering a rare look at ancient urban life, from oriental-style fortresses to Roman civic planning.
- Criterion (vi): Its cultural resonance continues through the arts, literature, and historical consciousness, largely thanks to its role in Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid.
The Troy region, also known as Troas, reveals a deep historical tapestry. Archaeological evidence points to 8,000 years of human activity, with nearby prehistoric cemeteries, Hellenistic burial mounds, Roman and Ottoman bridges, and even monuments from the Battle of Gallipoli enriching the broader cultural setting.
The excavation of Troy is more than the unveiling of a myth — it is a testament to the enduring power of history, storytelling, and human curiosity. Through its layers of stone and soil, Troy continues to bridge the ancient and modern worlds, echoing with the footsteps of heroes, poets, and archaeologists alike.
