My dissertation examines the documentation of Hisarlık, colloquially known as the site of Ancient Troy, from 1793 to 1902. The study hypothesizes that a process of modernization took place during the transformation of site drawings, influenced by mixed interpretations of historical buildings and developing techniques in the science of archaeology.
Through formal analysis with contextual cultural studies, the research envisions addressing the following topics: the impact of technical representation on the depiction of ancient sites, the reception of prehistoric architectural remains in the nineteenth century, and the dissemination of specialized knowledge through print media. A critical examination of this prominent case of archaeological history provides a unique viewpoint to evaluate intent and interpretation within the process of documentation, as well as an interdisciplinary perspective on the intellectual history of the nineteenth century.
