Recent Greek and Roman Excavations at Troy, Turkey

C. Brian Rose

Abstract:

In 1988 archaeologists from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Tubingen, Germany, began new excavations at Troy with the intent of examining all phases of habitation - from the Bronze Age through the Byzantine period. This lecture presents the results of the most recent Bronze Age, Greek, and Roman excavations at the site. Work has concentrated primarily on the theater, temple of Athena, the Bouleuterion or Council House, and the Sactuary of the Samothracian Gods. The Bronze Age fortifications and Roman houses in the Lower City have also been extensively investigated. Excavation thus far has clarified the rise in the city's fortunes after Alexander the Great, its reconstruction by Augustus and his Julio-Claudian successors, and the manipulation of its legendary heritage. Also included in the lecture is a discussion of several new monumental tombs recently discovered near Troy, which contain gold jewelry, musical instruments, and painted marble sarcophagi.