Schliemann's Trench

In October–November 1871, Heinrich Schliemann "officially" began excavating the site by digging into the northern side of Hisarlik.

Around this time, Schliemann also widened his north–south trench, extending it clear through the southern end of the hill.

In the middle of this north–south trench, Schliemann dug further down until he hit bedrock, uncovering in the process the remnants of two separate citadel (walls IIb and IIc), which he believed were the "Tower of Ilion".

[5] Schliemann would return to the site in 1878 and 1879 (during which he focused most of his attention on clearing the middle of the hill and deepening his north–south trench), 1882 (during which, among other things, he continued to deepen the north–south trench), and 1890 (when he focused most of his attention on excavating the exposed parts of the Troy II citadel).

[6] After Schliemann's excavations ceased, the 17 metres (56 feet) deep north–south trench became a notable feature of the site, and it is still visible to this day.