Heinrich-Schliemann-Institut für Altertumswissenschaften

Stepping through time, we find ourselves at the Heinrich-Schliemann-Institut für Altertumswissenschaften. It’s more than just a building at the University of Rostock. It’s a place where the echoes of ancient civilizations reverberate through the halls. The Heinrich-Schliemann-Institut houses five disciplines. These are Ancient History, Ancient Greek, Classical Archaeology, Latin, and Prehistoric Archaeology. They all reside under one roof, fostering a vibrant intellectual community. Did you know that Heinrich Schliemann himself received a doctorate from the University of Rostock in 1869? The institute that now bears his name has a rich history, stretching back to 1828 when the Seminar of Classical Philology was founded. The institute’s archaeological collection began with a plaster cast gifted by Schliemann. It has now grown to encompass a wide range of artifacts. The Heinrich-Schliemann-Institut wasn’t always a unified entity. Ancient History, for instance, established its own separate institution in 1905. Classical Archaeology followed suit in 1881, founding its own institute and nurturing the archaeological collection. The institute faced challenges during the mid-20th century. Political pressures led to the disciplines being merged into a general Department of History in 1963. The situation worsened in 1969 when the Philosophical Faculty was disbanded, limiting the scope of teaching. It wasn’t until 1990 that the institute was reformed, allowing the resumption of a full curriculum. The Heinrich-Schliemann-Institut stands as a testament to the resilience of ancient studies. It’s a place where the past comes alive, enriching our understanding of the present.