British Museum - Troy | The reality behind the myth

The myth of the Trojan War ended with the destruction of the great city of Troy. Some believed it never existed, but others set out to search for the legendary site, and to the world's amazement, they found it. We track the city's dramatic rise, fall and rediscovery... BOOK NOW ›

The site of Troy, in the north west corner of modern-day Turkey, was first settled around 3000 BC. It began life as a small village and, helped by its strategic coastal position, became an impressive walled citadel by about 2550–2300 BC.

Troy fell into ruin at the end of the Bronze Age, around 1180 BC, for reasons that are not completely understood. Its ruins remained visible for centuries and it became a place of pilgrimage because of its heroic associations.  Over time, its remains crumbled away and the city of Troy was lost from view.

In the late 19th century, British official and amateur archaeologist Frank Calvert lived in and owned land in the 'Troad' in north west Turkey. He was convinced this area would contain evidence of the lost city.  When German businessman and archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann visited the region in 1868 with the aim of uncovering Troy, the pair began excavating the historic site.

Schliemann's excavations began in earnest in 1870, and it is his name that is associated with 'discovering' the ancient city. He claimed to have found Priam's treasure – and his finds gained huge publicity. In the 150 years since, his discoveries have been questioned for their relation to the myth, but the site and the story remain inextricably linked.

Excavations at Troy continue today, mostly lead by Turkish archaeologists, and understanding of the site keeps growing. Its rich history stands apart from the story of the Trojan War and is important in its own right.  Read the full account of the rediscovery of Troy in our curators' blog post.  Tread the line between myth and reality in our major autumn show.

The BP exhibition Troy: myth and reality   21 November 2019 – 8 March 2020

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Shop a mythical world

From hand-painted statuettes of Greek goddesses to Grecian-style decorative plates, discover our unique shop range inspired by the great myths of the ancient world.

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