Ben Bova hypothesized that Homer was actually describing early siege towers, but given the veracity of many mundane parts of the story it seems unlikely.
Yes, I remember reading that - though it was just a passage in one book in the "Orion" series (that series also had an idea about the "real" Noah's Ark - that it was seeds and plants collected and saved in a hurry from a valley just about to be flooded. That would be from an early attempt at plant domestication).
The "horse" part of the siege tower idea was that the towers would be protected against fire etc. by horse hides.
The "horse" part of the siege tower idea was that the towers would be protected against fire etc. by horse hides.