Heinrich Schliemann

**Heinrich Schliemann** was a German businessman and amateur archaeologist who is best known for his excavations at the ancient sites of Troy, Mycenae, and Tiryns in Greece, where he claimed to have discovered the legendary city of Troy and the treasures of the Trojan War. He is believed to be the narrator of the audio tour which the audience travel through to enter The Burnt City.

Born in 1822 in Neubukow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, Schliemann grew up poor and was largely self-educated. He started his career as a clerk and worked his way up to become a successful merchant, primarily in the trade of indigo. He eventually became a millionaire and retired at the age of 36 to pursue his passion for archaeology.

Schliemann was inspired by the stories of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and he believed that the ancient Greek legends were based on historical events. He devoted his fortune to funding excavations at the sites of Troy, Mycenae, and Tiryns, where he believed he would find evidence of the Trojan War and the civilization described in the epic poems.

In 1871, Schliemann began excavating at Hisarlik in western Turkey, which he believed was the site of ancient Troy. He discovered a number of ancient cities built one on top of the other, including what he identified as the city of Troy. Schliemann claimed to have found the treasure of King Priam, including a gold diadem, which he famously dubbed the "Jewels of Helen" after the mythical queen of Sparta.

In 1874, Schliemann began his excavations at Mycenae, starting with the Lion Gate, an imposing entrance to the city that features two large stone lions carved in relief. Schliemann quickly uncovered several important structures, including the so-called "Palace of Agamemnon," a large complex of rooms and courtyards that he believed belonged to the legendary king. He also found several royal tombs, including the famous "Treasury of Atreus," a massive circular tomb that dates back to around 1250 BC.

Schliemann's discovery of the "Mask of Agamemnon" at Mycenae is perhaps his most famous find. The mask is a gold funeral mask that Schliemann claimed belonged to the legendary king himself. However, modern scholars have cast doubt on this claim, arguing that the mask is more likely to date from a later period of Mycenaean history. Regardless of its provenance, the mask remains one of the most iconic artifacts of the Mycenaean civilization and a testament to Schliemann's pioneering work as an archaeologist.

However, his methods were criticized by professional archaeologists, who accused him of damaging and destroying artifacts in his haste to find treasure. Schliemann was criticized for his haphazard and destructive excavation methods. He was known to use dynamite to blast through ancient ruins, and he did not always record his findings in a systematic or scientific way. This approach damaged or destroyed many artifacts, making it difficult for future archaeologists to properly study them. He was also accused of fabricating evidence in order to support his theories, including the famous "Jewels of Helen." However, many experts believe that Schliemann may have planted or even forged some of these artifacts. His work helped to establish the study of ancient Greek civilization as a serious academic discipline, laying the groundwork for modern archaeology.

Schliemann was accused of exploiting local workers during his excavations. He paid them very little and forced them to work in dangerous conditions, leading to many injuries and deaths. He is also reported to have held racist views and believed in the concept of a "superior" Aryan race. He claimed that the ancient Greeks were descended from the Aryans, and he saw himself as a descendant of this same group.

Schliemann had a complicated relationship with his family, especially his first wife Ekaterina and their children Sergey and Nadezhda. Schliemann's work as an archaeologist took him away from his family for long periods, putting a strain on their relationship. In his letters, Schliemann expressed his love for his children, but also complained about the demands of family life and the limitations it placed on his freedom. After Ekaterina's death, Schliemann remarried to Sophia Engastromenos and had two more children, Andromache and Agamemnon.

Despite his controversial methods, beliefs and questionable claims, Schliemann's excavations were instrumental in the development of modern archaeology and helped to establish the study of ancient Greek civilization as a serious academic discipline. Schliemann died in Naples, Italy in 1890.

## Trivia

During the shows previews there were more references to Heinrich Schliemann but these elements have removed as the show has evolved. For example, the exhibit entrance (which no longer exists) contained a summary of his work and his connection with Troy in particular. His role as the narrator of the museum entrance has not been confirmed.

In the current entrance to the show a character wearing a suit and often holding an artefact like a coin delivers an opening monolgoue before sending the audience down one of two entrances into either Troy or Mycenae. Some interpret this character as being Schliemann while others believe that this character is Hades as they are normally played by the same actor.

During the previews, before the names of the characters were confirmed, some thought that Laocoön was in fact Schliemann.