Finding the Walls of Troy: Frank Calvert and Heinrich Schliemann at Hisarlik

by Susan Heuck Allen

Book Overview

The relentlessly self-promoting amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann took full credit for discovering Homer's Troy over one hundred years ago, and since then generations have thrilled to the tale... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520208684
• ISBN13: 9780520208681
• Release Date: February 1999
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 409 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A Tremendous Resource for 19th century Troy Studies

Susan Heuck Allen's book is a tremendous resource for nineteenth century Troy studies. While Schliemann's putative work is well-known, Calvert's role therein has not been as readily available until now in this excellent book that carefully addresses that lacuna. Assiduously researching Calvert family connections and Frank Calvert's overlooked precedents, Allen has unearthed enough detail to show Schliemann in a different light. In some ways still a giant (he conducted important pioneering archaeological work at Mycenae and elsewhere), Schliemann is not completely tarnished, since he did return Troy to the world's attention as a real place, not just myth alongside Homeric poetic epic. But it is important to underscore Allen's finding that Calvert - not Schliemann - was the first to dig at Hisarlik (Troy). Here history and good sleuthing reveal Schliemann is still valuable for formative Troy research and archaeological history, although Calvert deserves far more credit than previously given. This informative book will help in resolving that difficult problem.

Archaeology of Troy... a valuable historic perspective.

The excavation of Troy has always been considered an extremely important event in the history of archaeology. This is due to the fact that very existence of Troy was considered a myth birthed by Homer, only to be exposed by the eccentric, business man/archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann. The author, Susan Allen, explores all aspects of the modern discovery of Troy by explaining how valuable the input of English diplomat, Frank Calvert, was in Schleimann's announcement to the world he had found the supposed mythological Homeric Troy. This book is not only excellently referenced but holds the extra quality of being able to tie the current events of 19th century Asian Minor politics to the fascinating story of how Heinrich Schleimann basically cheated Frank Calvert out of the credit he deserved in Troy's discovery. If you have any interest in 19th century archaeology, politics of archaeology or the intial excavations of Troy, this is a must read book.

Finding the Walls of Troy: a search for the truth

This was a captivating account of the Calvert family, particularly Frank Calvert, and the discovery of the reputed site of ancient Troy. The final chapters also deal with the turbulent relationship between Heinrich Schliemann, the individual most often associated with that discovery, and the Calverts. It is a story of a passion for the Homeric epics and of the struggle for priority in finding the site of the famous battle. Frank Calvert, in particular, is depicted as the unfortunate victim of the machinations of the ambitious and apparently unscrupulous German entrepreneur. (The family photo of the man, seated on his doorstep, looks like a study in defeat). Indeed there has been recent doubt expressed by members of the present day archaeological community regarding the genuineness of some of Schliemann's most famous discoveries. Most importantly the golden treasure trouve traditionally accepted as having been found at Troy has come under question, including its true provenance, authenticity, and the circumstances of its discovery. So too has the so-called mask of Agamemnon, which some would suggest is an artifact altered to look more like what popular imagination has come to associate with the Homeric heroes. Still others believe that the mask may be the work of a modern artist commissioned by Schliemann to produce an "artifact" worthy of his hero. Ms Allen concludes her work with the story of the fate of the artworks from Troy, including their post WWII disappearence, recent reappearence in Russia, and the international dispute over their ownership and the ethical issue of right to cultural heritage. This is a book which is understandable whether or not one knows anything about archaeology, history, or the events of the discovery.

Historical drama of the search for ancient Troy - great book

This book is an engaging documentary of the intellectual and archaeological pursuit of the ancient city of Troy by two late-nineteenth century explorers.Once and for all the contribution of Frank Calvert is firmly reestablished, and the warped image of Heinrich Schliemann is debunked and put in its rightful (still heroic) perspective. The human tragedies and triumphs are extreme and well told by the author. It's all here - ascendant thinking, paranoid emasculation, establishment blundering, family misfortunes, the impact of resources and geographic arrogance.The book is all the more significant as a study of arguably the most significant chronicle of our memorialized ancient past.There is a high degree of scholarship in this book with extensive details and references. The author is understandably sympathetic to Calvert and his family.The book brings us right up to today with information that reveals the current murkey ownership and location of much of the ancient treasures recovered from Troy. It turns out the story continues to unfold.Every paragraph of this book was absorbing to me. I recommend it highly.