heinrich schliemann
Heinrich Schliemann carefully examines ancient artifacts at an excavation site.
Proper noun A 19th-century German businessman and pioneering archaeologist. He is famous for his excavations at ancient sites in Turkey and Greece, which he believed proved the historical reality of places described in the epic poems of Homer.
This word is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to the historical figure. * Heinrich Schliemann used his personal wealth to finance his archaeological digs. * The methods of Heinrich Schliemann are sometimes criticized by modern archaeologists. * Many artifacts discovered by Heinrich Schliemann are housed in museums.
- Schliemannesque (adj): Characteristic of or resembling the methods, approach, or zeal of Heinrich Schliemann, often implying a driven, sometimes reckless pursuit of a goal based on literary or historical texts.
- His Schliemannesque quest to find the lost city was more inspired by legend than by scientific survey.
- Schliemann (n): A common shortened reference to Heinrich Schliemann.
- Schliemann's findings at Mycenae included the so-called "Mask of Agamemnon."
- Archaeologist: A person who studies human history through the excavation of sites and analysis of artifacts.
- Excavator: One who digs up and studies archaeological remains.
This term refers exclusively to the historical person. It does not have other general meanings.
- To pull a Schliemann (informal, rare): To pursue a goal with immense passion and self-funding, often bypassing conventional methods or expert advice, based on a strong personal belief. This usage is not standard but appears in some historical commentary.
- He funded the expedition himself and ignored the university's protocols—he really pulled a Schliemann.
Heinrich Schliemann carefully examines ancient artifacts at an excavation site.
- German archaeologist who discovered nine superimposed city sites of Troy; he also excavated Mycenae (1822-1890)