SCHLIEMANN, Heinrich (1822-1890). German Archaeologist; Excavator of Troy.
Autograph Letter Signed ("H Schliemann") to "Dear Mr. Murray" [Alexander Stuart Murray, Keeper of Greek and Roman Antiquities at the British Museum], referring to a discovery in Egypt by the English archaeologist [Sir] Flinders Petrie, the 'father' of mod
"I have read with profound interest the article you were kind enough to send me and which I beg leave to return enclosed [not present]. Cenrtainly no discovery could have interested me more than that of written characters, foreign to Egypt, of the time of the XII dynasty [1991-1796 B.C.] The greatest credit is due to Mr Flinders Petrie for his wonderful sagacity and perseverence. I feel quite ashamed not being able to show you and your lady any attention for I am overwhelmed with work, having been absent ever since June, and my wife [the beautiful Sophie, who had worn the Trojan gold jewellery] being sick . . ."
Schliemann, a wealthy businessman and linguist, came to archaeology as an amateur and was responsible for some of the most important discoveries of modern times, both at Troy (1870-3) and Mycenae (1876). In the 1880's Flinders Petrie was examining early Greek contacts with Egypt at Tel-el-Amarna, although as these were later than the XII Dynasty Schliemann canot be referring to them here. Petrie also discovered the earliest form of the 'Proto-Sinaitic' alphabet in one of his digs at Sinai, and he made special study of the scripts of the ancient world. Schliemann was the pioneer, and Petrie his first follower, in the 'stratigraphic' method of excavation, which involved the careful examination of successive levels of a site, rather than the previous method of haphazard diggings.
Letters of Heinrich Schliemann in English are rare.
From the collection of Halstead Vander Poel. The letter is in a specially made dark brown buckram folder with black leather spine, which slides into a buckram box.
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