, 1874-03-08

Dr. Schliemann, the e1cavator Of the Troad,
is not, al the Atlantic and the New York Times
have called him, an Il American German" We
cannot claim such credit. He WAS born in Neck
lenburg, in 1892. He was very poor and had
little education. At Il years Of age he became
grocers apprentice, and served in that capacity
for nearly six years. One day drunken miller
came into the shop and declaimed part Of the
uiad" in the original Greek. Young Schlie-
mann hired him. with three glasses Of brandy, to
say it thriceagaiu. "From that moment, "heeays,
IS never ceased to pray to God that He would
enable ne to learn Greek" He worked on,
studying ever until he found himself, in 1868,
rich, and, in 1869, an accomplished Hehad
to e1cavato Troy. Our sketch Of him aud his work
is mainly drawn from an admirable summary
Of his book, which Bayard Taylor has sent to
the New York Tribune. We must, of course,
greatly coudeuse in order to give, in single ar
ticle, tho barest idea Of the results OF five
years digging.
Dr. Schliemann found in the Troad the tradi-
tionary sites Of Old and New Troy. He sunk
few pits where Old Troy Was supposed to have
stood, but struck the bedrock without discoy-
ering anything. Then he decided, from careful
study Of the land Of Homer's text, that New
Troy had been built upon the Old, and that the
plateau Of Hissaelik contained within it the
ruins of both cities. He has been excayating
there for FIVE years, now hindered and nov sidod
by the Turkish Government. He has laid bare
three strain OF ruin.
The first was about 81 feet deep. It began
some feet below the surface. It consisted Of
stone and cement walla, ashes, calcinod earth,
oyster and mussel shells, vertebrn OF sharks
(there are now no sharks in the Egean), remains
Of other animals, and rude pieces Of pottery
Lower in this same stratum there we're guam
titles of stone Weapons and weights, and, tri{le
lower still, beautiful pottery with tho owls head
Of Minerva upon it, knives Of flint, needles and
spoons OF bone, nails Of copper, emblems in hon
or Of the gods etc. An endless number OF coins
medals, and decorated terra-cotta disks were
scattered through the whole stratum. The most
beautiful thing found was u Greek bas-relief
the Sun-God driving his four-hozee
chariot. The sculpture is said to be az fine as
that On the Parthenon frieze. This stratum is
supposed to contain the ruins Of 1850 years,
The first Greek settlement was made in 700 B. c.
The most modern coin discovered is one
Of Coustans H., who ceased to reign 3G1 4. D.
The city, which waH destroyed in the fourth con-
tury Of cur era (probably by the Goths), con-
tained about 100, 900 inhabitants.
The second stratum begins IT feet below the
first. It contains Troy,-the Troy Of Homer.
The towers and walls and houses Of the City Of /
Prian have been brought to light. Stone and |
tile walls, plainly but brilliantly -colored
vases, copper 1auces, helmets, battle-axes, dag
gera. shields, aud swords, skeletons, affairs, a |
golden dagop, golden goblets, silver vases and |
bowls: d gold coronet, Sc gold earrings, $3.50 |
gold rings, buttons, etc.,-these arc some Of the
relics Of Troy. DR.. Schliomann believes that
he has discovered tho 8cnau Gate and the |
House Of Pri2m. Homer has fixed the |
position OF the former 60 ex=ct!y that the re-
ported discovery ,s probably true. The alleged |
House OF Pl1am waa evidently q chiefs dwelling. |
It i large and handsome. Much treasure. was
'ound in it, and at the door lay heap of human
bones, the relics Of deadly fight. Two skulls
till wore their copper helmets. There are traces
II fire everywhere in this stratum. Wood ashes
nd melted metals abound. The stone pave
nents and walls are cracked and ca1cined By
rent. DR.. Schliemann secured their p1eserva-
ion by telling the guperstitious workuea that
kris. once cAmo to see King Priam. aud that
ho place Was therefore sacred to him. The |
tory speedily spread. The ruins ara now zs-