How did Carl Blegen’s excavations change knowledge of Troy’s settlement layers?

Carl Blegen’s excavations at Hisarlik between 1932 and 1938 significantly refined the understanding of Troy’s archaeological history. While earlier researchers had identified nine major strata, Blegen’s detailed stratigraphic analysis revealed that these periods were far more complex than previously thought.12

His team discovered that each of the nine major periods actually consisted of two or more distinct phases, ultimately identifying a total of 46 such phases. This granular approach allowed for a more precise reconstruction of the city's development, destruction, and rebuilding over time.1

Furthermore, Blegen’s work provided critical evidence regarding the Homeric connection. He concluded that the layer known as Troy VIIa—which showed clear signs of large-scale human violence, fire, and destruction—was the most likely candidate for the capital of King Priam described in the Iliad. By dating this destruction to approximately 1260 bce, Blegen offered a compelling archaeological link to the events of the Trojan War, distinguishing it from the earlier Troy VI, which he determined had been destroyed by an earthquake.12