Frank Calvert excavated part of Hisarlik on his family's land near the Dardanelles in 1863 and 1865, uncovering numerous ancient remains. Heinrich Schliemann later financed and directed the excavations, with Calvert showing him the site and later taking part. Their work—and 150 years of successors—exposed a large fortified citadel and substantial lower town and traced occupation across roughly 4,000 years, though much evidence was lost. The hill lay nearer the sea in antiquity, making it a strategic point near the Dardanelles. Hittite records mention Wilusa, the counterpart of Greek Ilios; later scholars identified it with Hisarlik's Troy. The Late Bronze Age citadel was probably destroyed by earthquake, not Agamemnon's army. 🏛️
Calvert and Schliemann excavated Hisarlik; later scholars linked Troy to Wilusa
Site mentioned
📍 Troy (Hisarlik)
Key facts
- Frank Calvert excavated part of Hisarlik on his family's land near the Dardanelles in 1863 and 1865, exposing ancient remains.
- Heinrich Schliemann later financed and directed the excavations; Calvert showed him the site and later participated.
- Their work and that of successors revealed a large fortified citadel and substantial lower town, with occupation spanning roughly 4,000 years, while much evidence was destroyed.
- Hisarlik lay closer to the sea in antiquity, giving it a strategic position near the Dardanelles.
- Hittite records mention Wilusa, the linguistic counterpart of Greek Ilios; later scholars identified it with Troy.
- The Late Bronze Age citadel at Troy was probably destroyed by earthquake, not Agamemnon's army.
Sources
hnn.us
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time.com
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perseus.tufts.edu
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link.springer.com
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dailysabah.com
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Calvert: Schliemann Museumschliemann-museum.de
He bought part of Hisarlik and excavated ancient remains there in 1863 and 1865. he began an illegal excavation in 1870 and officially began exploring the hill ...
Schliemann's Silent Partner, Frank Calvert (1828-1908). ...bmcr.brynmawr.edu
In 1857 Calvert became the owner of a piece of 2000 acres of “good ground, including the site of Ilium Novum” (81) at Hissarlik. Later, (at last ...
Frank Calverten.wikipedia.org
He began exploratory excavations on the mound at Hisarlık (the site of the ancient city of Troy), seven years before the arrival of Heinrich Schliemann.
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