Manfred Korfmann facts for kids

Manfred Osman Korfmann (born April 26, 1942 – died August 11, 2005) was a famous German archaeologist. He is best known for his important work at Hisarlik. This is the modern name for the ancient city of Troy in present-day Turkey.

Discovering Ancient Troy

Manfred Korfmann spent many years exploring ancient sites in Turkey. From 1982 to 1987, he led excavations at Besik Bay. This area is only a few kilometers from Hisarlik, which is believed to be the location of Homer's legendary city of Troy.

Leading the Troy Excavations

In 1988, the Turkish government gave Korfmann a special permit. This allowed him to be the only person to lead excavations at Troy itself. He suggested calling the site "Troia" for academic studies. Over many years, his team dug up large parts of the lower city of Troy. These areas were hidden beneath later Roman ruins.

During his time, Korfmann directed 370 archaeologists. Together, they excavated a huge area of 13,240 square meters.

Debates About Troy's Size

After earlier excavations by Schliemann, there were many arguments about Troy's history. Some historians doubted how important the lower part of the city was. However, Korfmann believed that the Bronze Age city at Hisarlik was very large. He thought it played a key role in trade around the Dardanelles strait.

In 2001, Korfmann helped organize a big exhibition in Stuttgart, Germany. It was called "Troy - dream and reality." About 800,000 people visited it. This exhibition helped make Troy famous again.

Proving Troy's True Size

In 2002, Korfmann shared his findings about Troy in Tübingen. The main argument was about the real size of the Bronze Age city. More digging in August 2003 supported Korfmann's ideas. He announced that "Troy was much larger than so far accepted."

His team found proof by digging in the plains south of the hill. They also used special magnetic tools. These showed that Troy was actually 15 times larger than people thought before. They even found a moat cut into the rock. This moat was 4 meters wide and 2 meters deep, showing the city's defenses.

Troy's Legacy and Korfmann's Impact

Thanks to Manfred Korfmann's work, interest in Troy grew a lot. His excavations brought new excitement to the ancient myths about Troy.

In 1996, he helped create a national park around the Troy site. Two years later, UNESCO declared Troy a World Cultural Heritage site. This means it's a very important place for everyone to protect. Many tourists now visit the excavation site.

A Special Honor

In 2004, Professor Korfmann received a special honor. The government of Turkey gave him Turkish nationality. This was to thank him for his great contributions to the country. He also took "Osman" as his middle name. People had called him "Osman Bey" for years as a friendly nickname.

Besides Troy, Korfmann also excavated other places. He worked around the Black Sea, including Didigora and Udabno in Georgia.

Korfmann's Final Years

Manfred Korfmann passed away on August 11, 2005. He was 63 years old and died from lung cancer. He was at his home in Ofterdingen, near Tübingen. He hoped that the excavations at Troy would continue. He also wished for the Turkish government to build a world-class museum near the site. He is remembered by his wife, son, and daughter.