CANAKKALE, TÜRKIYE, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 3,000 years after the legendary Trojan War, the ancient city of Troy is once again in the global spotlight.
With Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey now in theaters worldwide, audiences are revisiting the story of Odysseus, the hero in Greek mythology who embarks on a long journey home after the Trojan War. Many episodes in the film are closely linked to Troy.
But Troy is more than a setting for mythology. Located in northwestern Türkiye near the Dardanelles, the ancient city remains an active archaeological site, while the nearby Troy Museum houses artifacts spanning its long history. Tourism and cultural events are prevalent.
"Hollywood has already made quite a few films about Troy," said Reyhan Korpe, deputy head of the archaeological excavation team.
The 2004 film Troy generated considerable interest, he said, and The Odyssey is likely to bring renewed attention to the ancient city.
A giant wooden horse prop from the 2004 film now stands on the waterfront in Canakkale, a city roughly 30 km north of Troy, where it has become a local landmark.
The real Troy, however, dates back much further than either Homer or Hollywood.
According to Korpe, the earliest settlement at the site dates to around 3000 B.C. Situated near the Dardanelles and the Aegean Sea, Troy occupied a strategically important location and grew into a significant regional center during the Late Bronze Age.
Archaeological excavations, which began in the late 19th century, gradually revealed layers of settlements built and rebuilt over thousands of years. Archaeologists have now identified nine major layers and 54 building phases, according to Sinem Duzgoren, director of the Troy Museum.
One of these layers, Troy VIIb, contains sling stones, arrowheads, knives, spearheads and traces of burning, suggesting that a major conflict took place there in the 12th century B.C.
Inside the museum, archaeology also intersects with mythology and local memory.
The Polyxena Sarcophagus, dating from the late sixth to early fifth century B.C., depicts the tragic story of Polyxena, a Trojan princess who, according to Greek mythology, was sacrificed after the fall of Troy.
Duzgoren said the person who commissioned the sarcophagus appears to have drawn on Polyxena's story to commemorate a daughter who had died young. The sarcophagus was discovered at a place called Kızöldün, roughly meaning "the place where the girl died." Centuries later, local people may no longer know who Polyxena was, but the memory of a girl's death survives.
Troy's enduring popularity, however, also presents a modern challenge: how to protect an ancient site while allowing visitors to experience it.
Korpe said the excavation team has introduced designated walking routes to limit visitors' direct contact with the ruins and is using technologies such as ground-penetrating radar, drones and digital mapping.
"Our goal is to protect Troy and make sure it continues to exist for thousands of years to come," he said.
The surrounding community is part of that effort -- and also benefits from the site's popularity. Local governments and villages support the management of the archaeological site, while tourism provides additional income for residents through excavation work, souvenir sales, guesthouses and restaurants.
Cultural events further connect the ancient city with modern life. Canakkale recently hosted the 63rd International Troy Festival, featuring music, exhibitions, discussions and sports.
From Homer's epics to modern cinema, Troy has survived through repeated retellings and reinterpretations. Today, the challenge is to ensure that as its story reaches new audiences, the ancient city itself survives for generations to come. ■
