Heinrich Schliemann (born January 6, 1822, in Neubukow; died December 26, 1890, in Naples) was a German entrepreneur who became one of the most famous early figures in modern archaeology. Largely self‑educated in the discipline, he is best known for his excavations at the site identified with ancient Troy and for work on Bronze Age sites in Greece.
Background and approach
Schliemann made his fortune as a merchant and used that wealth to fund fieldwork. He believed that literary sources—especially Homer’s epics—could locate real ancient cities. This conviction shaped his field strategy: targeted trenches and aggressive clearance intended to reveal occupational layers matching descriptions from the Iliad.
Major excavations and discoveries
His principal campaigns took place at the mound of Hissarlik (Troy) and later at Mycenae. Among the finds associated with Schliemann are a large cache of Late Bronze Age gold sometimes called “Priam’s Treasure” and a gold funerary mask he famously labeled the “Mask of Agamemnon.” These discoveries drew international attention and helped focus scholarly and public interest on the Aegean Bronze Age.
Methods and controversies
Schliemann’s techniques were vigorous and, by later standards, destructive. He used heavy excavation and trenching that disturbed stratigraphy and removed material context. Debate continues about the accuracy of some of his claims, the dating of certain finds, and the ethics of removing artifacts to museums in Europe. Nonetheless, his work established Hissarlik as a key archaeological site and stimulated more careful, scientific fieldwork that followed.
Legacy
Schliemann is remembered both for dramatic discoveries that captured the imagination of the public and for prompting improvements in archaeological methodology. His example shows how literary traditions can inspire field research while also illustrating the need for careful recording and preservation. For further reading on his life and excavations see general introductions to early classical archaeology and museum catalogues that discuss the provenance of his finds.