Archaeology of Troy
For centuries, whether or not the city of Troy was real was a mystery. Heinrich Schliemann was an German archaeologist who searched desperately for the city of Troy. He claimed that when he was eight years old, his father told him the story of Troy, and ever since then he was determined to find the city. After much research, he decided to dig at Hisarlik, Turkey. In 1873, Schliemann discovered a copper jug embedded in the wall of one of his excavation shafts. The jug was filled with ancient jewelry made of silver and gold. It was what a queen or princess might wear. This became known as the "Jewels of Helen". He also found a copper shield, copper axes and daggers, and other items that became "Priam's Treasure". Schliemann was convinced that he had found Troy.
The jewelry was smuggled out of the country and taken back to Schliemann's home. The Turkish government was not pleased by this and sued him. He refused to pay at first, but eventually paid by giving them some of the treasure. The Turks were delighted and let him continue excavations at Troy, but kept close watch over him. The treasure the Turks were given is now in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. The remaining treasure Schliemann had was donated to the Royal Museums of Berlin in Germany. It was unfortunately lost during the Russian advance into Berlin during World War II. The picture of Schliemann's wife, Sophia Schliemann, is the only remaining record of it. Hisarlik, Turkey is now considered to be the ruins of Troy.