Manfred Korfmann

Manfred Osman Korfmann ( born April 26, 1942 in Cologne, † 11 August 2005 in Novalis in Tübingen ) was a German prehistoric archaeologist. He was a professor at the Institute of Prehistory and Early History of the University of Tübingen. His research focus was on the Copper and Bronze Age in Anatolia and the ranged bow and sling. He gained as excavation director at the place which is called since Frank Calvert and Heinrich Schliemann as Troy and is also considered the birthplace of the German scientific archeology wide renown.

Life and work

Professional career

Korfmann began after graduating from high school in 1961 first train as a teacher of English and history. As an Assistant Professor in Bait Dschala (Palestine) his interest in archeology was sparked by the discovery of coins. Then he decided to a second course of study, 1962 to 1970, he studied Prehistory and Early History and Archaeology of the Roman Provinces and Ancient History at the University of Frankfurt and the American University of Beirut; 1970 he obtained his PhD in Frankfurt. 1971/72 he was a research associate at the University of Frankfurt in the project Africa - map series of the DFG. He then worked from 1972 to 1979 as a Research Fellow at the German Archaeological Institute, Istanbul Department among others with excavations in Demircihüyük 1979 to 1982 he was a research associate at the DAI Berlin. In 1980 he completed his habilitation and became a lecturer at the University of Frankfurt. From 1982 until his death he was Professor of Prehistory and Early History Archaeology at the University of Tübingen.

Excavations at Troy

Since 1988 Korfmann his excavations at Troy. During the excavation campaign a total of 13,240 square meters of floor of 370 scientists and their helpers were excavated under his leadership. Since Heinrich Schliemann's work on the ground Troy is controversial in its cultural and historical significance within the research. Hence Korfmann 2001/ 02 was due to its interpretation of the archaeological findings in the center of a debate which covered the entire German -speaking archeology. Only in 1993 Korfmann had the Schliemann 's interpretation connected, after Homer's Iliad in the core actually describe events that took place at this location. In 1994, the Munich-based geophysicist John Smith before geomagnetic measurements of earth resistance and interpreted the results as indicating an unexpectedly large area of an extended " Undercity " beneath the Acropolis. Thereupon Korfmann was convinced that " Troia certainly one of the largest cities in the wide area " was, and brought the city later in connection with the mentioned in Hittite sources metropolis Wilusa: This is identical with the Homeric " (W) Ilion " ( = Troia).

This interpretation of the results was not without especially in ancient historians. Spokesman of the critics was also taught in Tübingen Professor Frank Kolb. Core of the dispute ( Troy debate ), in which Korfmann was soon exposed to attacks on his scientific honesty ( " Däniken of archeology " ), was the question of the real size and importance of the Bronze Age Troy. This is followed by methodological and epistemological issues joined on the relationship of archeology ancient history. Korfmann tried mainly on the archaeological and practical level, that is, by the progress of the excavations, to support his theses; A definitive proof not succeed himself. He died during the 2005 campaign, which he still designed, but could no longer perform themselves. Already the 2006 campaign brought the excavator 's opinion as to the existence of the fastener trench to the east of the city with change of direction to the north. The controversy surrounding the interpretation of the finds and the importance of the Bronze Age Troy keeps but also by Korfmann death.

Merits and projects

1996 reached the archaeologist the establishment of Troia Historical National Park and two years later, Troy was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition Korfmann suggested there on a museum for world first scattered Troy finds. Although the Turkish state conceded him a lot of help, complained Korfmann (albeit quietly ) that neither the National Park will be adequately protected yet announced the construction of the Troy Museum was started. The fluent Turkish-speaking scientists had adopted in 2003 from ties to Turkey and its people, the Turkish nationality and the middle name " Osman "; Korfmann interpretation of its archaeological features was here welcomed and exploited by Turkish politicians often. For 17 years he was able to perform his excavations in and around Troy. He succeeded in that, to rekindle the political myth of the ancient city.

Due to his initiative a large and journalistically acclaimed Troy exhibition was 2001/2002 in Stuttgart, Braunschweig and Bonn, " Troia - Dream and Reality". It was attended by some 800,000 people and provided the starting point of the already mentioned research fierce debate dar.

In addition to his excavations at Troy itself Korfmann turned to other archaeological sites such as the Caucasus ( Georgia: Didi Gora, Udabno ).

On February 24, 2007, opened in honor of Manfred Osman Korfmann the University of Çanakkale surrendered his private library of over 5000 volumes. You should future Turkish Troy specialists are available and is housed in a specially renovated house.

Awards and Affiliations

Writings (selection )

• Manfred O. Korfmann (ed.), Troy. Archaeology of a settlement mound and its landscape. Publisher Philip of Saverne, Mainz 2006, 420 pp. with 82 col and 320 sw -fig., ISBN 3-8053-3509-1