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  • Basilica B at Bylis
  • Hekal
  • Bylis

    Credits

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    Periods

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    Chronology

    • 400 AD - 600 AD

    Season

      • During this archaeological season the excavations were located in the trenches A and B of the south east annexes of the Bylis Cathedral (or known differently as Basilica B). These trenches were far beyond the areas which were excavated previously by the Albanian team. The excavation was later extended toward the east and south revealing new elements of the later construction phase. The archaeological material discovered consists of pottery and metal objects.
      • During this season the excavations continued in one of the areas discovered during the previous year, reaching up to the earliest floor level. Afterwards, the excavation was extended toward the north, east and south. A sondage undertaken in the lower part of the north-south directed wall, revealed pottery fragments of the Hellenistic period (black varnish vessels and Greek-Italian type amphorae). Two other sondages revealed remains of the first half of the 3rd century A.D. These remains were related to a demolition layer above which were found pottery fragments of the 2nd - 4th century A.D. The first phase of the Episcopal palace revealed material of the 5th century A.D. As a terminus post quem date for this phase is given by an African spatheion type amphora and a LRA1 type amphora. The considerable number of finds coming from the upper layers illustrates an intensive occupation of the palace at this period. On the Hellenistic wall are set two other walls, one on the eastern side (wall 257) and another one on the west (wall 231). The excavation of the western wall proved that it does not have a foundation level. To the north of it a floor level was discovered constructed with big blocks of stones. At the same place were found the remains of four bricks, which might be related to a channel, covered by the western wall (231). Further to the south was discovered a wall (212), parallel to the walls 231 and 257, and close to it a fragmented pithos. To the south of the excavated area was discovered a cistern with a hemispheric base. It is located at the end of the wall 503 which is thought to date to the 5th century A.D. The other phase is set on a layer that covers the demolition layer of the previous phase; the cistern channels seem to have been out of use at this period. A part of the floor area is turned into a yard, confined in its eastern side by the wall 501; remains of an inserted bench were found in the wall. The walls 239 and 503 to the south confine a passage which leads to the Justinianic wall. The wall 239 turns toward the north and later to the east. The yard is partly confined by the wall 408 to the south and the wall 411 to the west. The archaeological material found, like the African spatheion, LRA1B, LRA2 amphorae and a coin of the Justinian period, date the end of this phase of the Episcopal palace to the second half of 6th century A.D.
      • During the 2007 season the excavations were located in the south-eastern area of the Episcopal complex. This excavation aimed at the discovery of the area K-P, which was related to the south with the yard L. Trenches N1-N5 were excavated and also studied the structures and the archaeological material found in the area. The plan area known as K-P comprises 5 long trenches, K1-K5. Four of the trenches were opened at the yard during its latest phase. The southern façade includes the trenches P3 and P4, which have a quadrangular plan and have the same width with trenches K1-K5. In the trenches P1 and P3 continued the excavation which has taken place since the year 2002. In the trench P3 was entirely revealed the basement, whereas in the area P1 were excavated a series of parallel kilns. In the trench N2 was revealed quite a big bench and several fragments of a pithos, used probably for storing food supplies. In the trench N5 was revealed a cutting tool of square shape, which confirms the functional character of the complex at this time. It is possible that the kilns were used for boiling the water, necessary in the oil production process. Understanding the economic character of this complex will help also defining the reasons that lead to its destruction.
      • Continuing the previous seasons, this year excavations were undertaken in the area N (trenches N2 and N5) and in the areas K-P (trenches K4-P1A), which were related to the yard L in the northern and southern side. In the trenches N2 and N5 was discovered an area which might have been used a storeroom. A wooden covering found in the trench N2 leaned on a diaphragm wall with two arches and a central colonnade. Nearby the eastern wall was discovered a bench and several fragments of pithos. In the trench N5 were revealed two rectangular tanks which were related with each other on their eastern and western part. A staircase might have allowed access for putting the grapes into the tank. The excavation in trench K4 reached to the lowest floor level confirming the existence of a central gate in the southern wall. A northern gate was blocked in a later period of time. If the dimensions of trench K4 are the same with those of K1 and K2, the area seems to have passed through important transformation phases. During this year excavation were also carried out in the western area of the P1 trench (P1A). Under the tile layer was revealed a black sediment layer. A sondage undertaken in the southern wall revealed a drainage channel and a pavement with big stones, which was laid under the later staircase that gave access into K4.

    Bibliography

      • C. Vanderheyde, M. Wurch-Kozelj, M. Bonifay, S. Muçaj, I. Tassignon, N. Beaudry, P. Blanc, Y. Cerova, P. Chevalier, E. Hobdari, A. Islami, M. Haxhimihali, E. Nallbani, M. Savard, M.–P. Raynaud, T. Kozelj, J.–S. Sodini, 2002, Byllis (Albanie), in Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, Vol.126, N.2: 659–684.
      • P. Chevalier, S. Muçaj, N. Beaudry, T. Kozelj, M. Wurch-Kozelj, 2008, Byllis (Albanie), campagne 2007: le quartier épiscopal, la basilique E et les carrières, in Bulletin du Centre d’études Médiévales d’Auxerre, N. 12. URL : http://cem.revues.org/6512
      • P. Chevalier, S. Muçaj, N. Beaudry, 2009, Byllis (Albanie), campagne 2008: le quartier épiscopal, la basilique E et les carrières, in Bulletin du Centre d’études Médiévales d’Auxerre, N. 13: 73-76