Abstract:
According to the original plan for the years 2006 to 2009, the summer 2008 was supposed to be devoted to a study season. However, since it was not possible to locate the further course of the Troia VI defensive ditch in the east of the Lower City, excavation work continued in 2008 and the aim striven for was finally achieved. The results of both excavation seasons are represented in this report. The 20th and 21st seasons of the ongoing project – the 36th and 37th since excavation began under Heinrich Schliemann in 1871 – lasted from 13 July to 5 September 2007 and from 18 July to 5 September 2008, respectively. Professor Dr. Ernst Pernicka directed the excavation. In 2007 excavation was carried out in seven areas representing a total surface area of 192 m2 and in 2008 in two areas covering 58 m2. Moreover, once again the Bronze Age team and quite a number of members of the Post- Bronze Age group processed finds for dissertations and publication of the excavations carried out since 1988. In addition, conservation measures were taken to preserve and present the ruins, finds were restored, anthropological and archaeometric studies were conducted and geophysical prospection and core sampling went on in the city area. The 2007 excavation team comprised thirty-two academic and technical members from eight countries.1 In addition, there were twenty-five local workmen and assistants. In 2008, forty-three academic and technical staff from ten countries were supported by eighteen local workmen. Representing the Turkish government were M. Fuat Özçatal of the Eskişehir Museum in 2007 and Akif Gaffaroğlu of the Alanya Museum in 2008.