Season Team

• AIAC_1774 - Kanali rockshelter. - 2012
  The 2012 excavation at Kanali rock shelter was conditioned by the results of the excavations carried out in 2004. It was decided to test two different points, one positioned near the area where the 2004 excavations were concentrated and the second point located where the collapsed entrance of the cave was thought to be. The first excavation site was named Kanali 1, while the second site was named Kanali 2. Kanali 1 In the end of this year's excavations in this point, was increased the amount of finds and also the lithic collection. From the material obtained from the excavation, it appears that the main goal of the occupation was to achieve the production of tools of the blade type and small flakes, a part of which can be described in some cases as flakes (<1.5 – 2 cm). This is evidenced by the presence of 5 cores for the production of blades as well as the blades themselves, as well as 2 discoidal cores and the corresponding flakes and blades. Other tools present in the collection are: a chip thinned in the ventral part, a retouched blade, an end scraper, and two partially preserved but unidentifiable tools. Of a different operational chain, are two bidirectional and two-sided wedges, which may have been in their initial phase. Kanali 2 On the other hand, the lithic material found during excavations at this point represents a special case in relation to the history of the study of this territory. Among the most important finds were a core, for the production of blades, as well as the presence of numerous blades. There are also two end scrapers which seem to have been produced from the same operational concept. It should be mentioned that the end scrapers are not short or round but rather long. Based on the material found from the excavation of this year, some preliminary conclusions can be given regarding the chronology of this collection. Starting from the high presence of blades with worked backs as well as the presence of a trapezoid, we can say with certainty that we are dealing with a collection of the Epigravetian, the period after the Last Maximum Glaciation (20,000 years). On the other hand, the presence of longitudinal end scrapers (not circular) as well as the absence of knives with worked backs places this material in time to the early Epigravetian or about 20,000-15,000 years ago.
• AIAC_3158 - Fortified settlement of Grazhdan - 2012
  The 2012 excavations were concentrated on the southern gate of the fortification system of the settlement of Grazhdan. In addition to the excavation, the clearing of the entire gate space was also carried out, where it turned out that just like the eastern gate, this gate was conceived with the same architectural elements and was reinforced on both sides by two towers in the shape of the letter U". The purpose of the excavations was to clarify the construction chronology of this gate as well as to specify its construction elements. The excavation was focused on an area of 10 x 4.5 m and at the end of the excavation, the resulting stratigraphy presented a profile dominated by two levels. The first layer, with a thickness of 0.45 m, was formed by a mixture of the building material of the tower where medium-sized stones, sometimes with mortar attached, tiles and some ceramics, etc. can be distinguished. The second layer was thinner, but it is interesting in terms of the chronology of the construction of the tower and the entire southern gate. The color of the soil is dark brown, quite friable and relatively rich in finds, where we can mention some fragment of ceramics of daily use, represented in bowls, cups, etc. An important place in this group of finds is the terra sigillata pottery of eastern origin, which we think can be dated to the century IV A. D. Another group is represented by metal finds and ornaments, especially some iron fibulae from this period that were used by soldiers. Among the findings there are many finds of ceramic used as construction material, like tiles, which indicates that the tower was roofed with this material. They are of the rectangular type and sometimes retain initials on the surface or different decorations. The third layer, which is not distinguishable in profile, is represented by the floor of the tower and has a thickness of 0.10 -0.12 m of mortar that levels the entire surface of the tower at the level of the basement. Based on the plan of the tower, its construction elements, the contemporaneity with the surrounding walls, and especially from the archaeological material discovered in this campaign, we think that this construction can be dated in the fourth century A.D.
• AIAC_5327 - The Tumulus Cemetry of Himara - 2018
  From a survey in 2016 on the bed of a stream, east of the ancient centre, in the plain known as Gropa e Himarës (Himara hollow), a previously unknown cemetery was identified with cist tombs damaged and robbed by clandestine diggers. In 2018 archeological excavation documented a tumulus (Tumulus no. 1) of the Late Bronze Age, as well as several tombs with simple architecture southwest of the tumulus along the stream bed. The only object that helps to date the tumulus is the bronze spearhead found in tomb no. 1. The spearhead belongs to leaf-shaped blades type, and dates the tumulus no. 1 in the Late Bronze Age. The tombs in the southwest of the tumulus were robbed and without findings.
• AIAC_5327 - The Tumulus Cemetry of Himara - 2020
  In the 2020 campaign in Himaras tumuli cemetery, a test pit was conducted near tumulus no. 1, as well as the excavation was expanded in the southwestern part, where previously graves no. 3, 4 and 5 were documented . The expansion of the trench was intended to document some visible tombs in the alluvium profile. As a result of excavation a second tumulus was discovered and documented, which was called tumulus no. 2. In this tumulus were found 8 graves which were encircled inside a solid ring with monumental architecture. At the bottom of the tumulus in the earliest stage between layers 003 and 005 were placed 6 tombs (Tombs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), while the other two tombs (7 and 8) were located in the upper layers (between layers 003 and 002) and are certainly the latest. Regarding the chronology of the construction and use of the tumulus no. 2, the archaeological material suggests that it began to be built around the end of the Late Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age and continued to be used during the Iron Age. In addition to the archeological excavation in the territory of Himara Bay, an archaeological survey was conducted to identify possible settlements related to the tumulus cemetery. Archaeological observation revealed two fortified settlements in the hills of St. Pandelejmon and Kuca, as well as three unfortified sites with ceramic finds and flint finds in the hills of St. Demetrius, in Sklero and Buna.The is no summary for this season.
• AIAC_5327 - The Tumulus Cemetry of Himara - 2023
  Tumulus no 3 was discovered between tumuli no. 1 and no. 2, in the bed of the Korrami river. River flows and clandestine excavations had damaged the central part of the tumulus. About 10 graves were discovered from the excavation. They have a simple architecture with stone slabs, or placed in a simple pit. It is not clear how high the mound reached, as it has been damaged by the deposits of the river. The archaeological material found in the graves, but also in the covering soil, dates the mound between the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. The diameter of the ring of the mound, inside which the graves were included, did not exceed 10 meters. Discovery and documentation of tumulus no. 3, confirms the existence of a Late Prehistoric tumulus cemetery in the plain of Himara.
• AIAC_5354 - Necropolis of Amantia - 2020
  The ruins of the Ancient City of Amantia are located on a high rocky hill about 613 m above sea level, between the Vjose and Shushice rivers. Amantia was declared a national archaeological park in 2005 and in addition to the ancient city located on the acropolis there is also a rich necropolis with monumental tombs spread over a large area. As a result of a wave of clandestine activities and acts of vandalism that affected the ancient cemetery, two rescue archaeological excavation campaigns were carried out during the summer and autumn of 2020. Graves no. 9, 16, 28 and 29 of the northeastern necropolis were excavated, as well as grave no. 44 in the acropolis area. Some of the graves belong to the Hellenistic period, while two of them have dating elements from the medieval period (grave no. 16, 44), of which is very little known in Amantia.
• AIAC_5356 - Amantia - 2021
  The monumental tomb no 27 in the ancient city of Amantia is located in the southern necropolis. It is situated on a hill facing east-west. The hill has compact geological composition and creates a safe and strong ground for the placement of a monumental tomb. The tomb was documented in a rescue archeological excavation during 2021. The tomb consists of of a burial chamber covered with a barrel vault and a tiled roof- Material of Hellenistic period was found only in an open pit on the floor of the burial chamber. The overall dimensions of the burial chamber from the outside are 4 x 4 m and height 4 m. On the central axis of the tomb chamber extends a corridor / dromos about 6 m long, roofed with horizontal slabs. The second half of the century III B.C. is suggested to be the first date of the construction of the tomb. In late antiquity the tomb was looted and reused on the inside, while a cemetery was built on the top of it. This contained 8 tombs, mostly cysts built with spolia taken from the monumental tomb and one tomb built a cappucina, with tiles.
• AIAC_5356 - Amantia - 2022
  Monumental tomb no 26 (called the Jew's Tomb by the inhabitants of the area) in the ancient city of Amantia is located in the southern necropolis. It is built on the edge of a ridge. The tomb is classified as Π-shape, with a raised facade on the western side and open on the eastern side. The architecture of the tomb is composed of a platform with stone blocks, 8 m long and 6 m wide, as well as two tombs inside it, one with a brick cover and the other with a stone slab cover. Other examples of this type of tomb have been found in other areas of the ancient necropolis of Amantia, as well as in the necropolis of the Illyrian city of Bylis. The monumental tomb no 26 is the most monumental specimen of graves of this type, documented so far in Albania, in the territory of South Illyria. It dates to the third century BC.
• AIAC_5356 - Amantia - 2023
  A building with dimensions of 3 m and 3.5 m is located in front of the ancient stadium on the eastern terrace. In 2023, its excavation and a partial restoration of the side walls were carried out. The side walls are built with dry stone blocks. Excavation revealed the floor laid with stone tiles. The material found dates it to the third- second century BC. The building was reused in late antiquity, as evidenced by the significant amount of tiles found during the excavation. A tomb from the late Roman period was found in the northern wall of the building. The grave was covered with tiles, while the remains of an individual were found inside, without accompanying inventory. The building is part of a building complex, the function of which is not yet known.
• AIAC_5593 - Cave of Blazi - 2012
  The excavation inside the cave was placed in four points, with squares of 1x1m. The squares were named K I, which was positioned in the space where the lithic material was found in the excavations of the 70’s of the twentieth century realized by F. Prendi and Zh. Andrea. Square K. II was placed on the outside of the cave entrance, in front of the wall that separates the interior from the exterior of the cave. K III on the left side of the cave's interior, the area in which the previous excavations were also concentrated, and precisely with the aim of controlling this area, whether or not it preserved traces of pre-Neolithic periods. K. IV was located at the end of the gallery of the cave; its purpose was to help with taking samples for C14 dating. The only trenches that gave lithic material were K. I and K. II. The trench K. III did not give any archaeological findings, while in K. IV the findings were the same as those found during excavations in the 70’s. From this trench it was also possible to take some C14 samples that will allow the absolute dating of the Neolithic layer. The lithic finds in this case attest the fact that the aim of the chaine operatoire was the production of blades. The is no summary for this season.
• AIAC_5594 - Grave of Dushkarak - 2023
  The tomb was discovered in the village of Dushkarak, on a hill by the river Vjose (Aos), in the rural territory of the ancient city of Amantia. It was accidentally discovered during agricultural works. The tractor working the land had broken the stone slab covering the grave. First, a Macedonian-type amphora was found. The side walls of the tomb were built with stone slabs. The burial was carried out with the practice of cremation. The inventory of the grave consisted of fragmented ceramic vessels and an iron spear. The grave is dated by the finds to the third century.
• AIAC_5602 - Northern gate (Oricum) - 2017
  In sector number 3, the excavations started in 2013, where part of the fortification wall and the northern entrance were partially discovered. In 2017, a rectangular structure with stone blocks and stone filling in the center was completely excavated. The structure is thought to have been either a tower or an artillery platform in front of the entrance. The material found from the excavation dates the platform to the second century BC. Excavation inside the structure revealed large stones and rough blocks that served to reinforce the foundation of the protective structure that was bounded by double walls. The study of the ceramics of this layer showed a great chronological homogeneity, including forms that date to the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 2nd century BC. The protective wall of the entrance corridor of the gate is chronologically the same as the quadrangular structure itself (Tower? Artillery platforms?). This is confirmed by the water evacuation channel that was built between the entrance and the platform. In the northwest, the excavation was extended to a surface of about 80 m². A part of the Hellenistic wall was discovered. It extended towards the west for another 2.50 m. At this point, it seems that the wall of the Hellenistic period has a deviation inside the city. In continuation of the wall, it seems that the entire area was restored in the Byzantine period. The blocks from the Hellenistic period were reused and in addition to the mortar used as a binder, the joints were filled with bricks and tiles. The width of the Byzantine period wall reached 2 m. The entrance of the Byzantine period was built at a higher level than that of the Hellenistic period. It was equipped with channels for water drainage.
• AIAC_5612 - Saint Miter - 2012
  Continued surveys at the prehistoric site of St. Miter had aroused great interest in terms of the lithic collection found. For this reason, in 2012, it was decided to carry out archaeological excavations in order to discover the potential of this site. The excavation was carried out through three trenches of dimensions (1x2 m). The trenches were named, A, located on the western side, B (in the center) and trench C (on the eastern side). Most of the finds come from trench A and for this reason the excavation was focused only on this trench. The excavation was extended to both sides of the trench and a rich collection of flint finds was obtained. The main material founded consists of blade of different typologies. The cores were obtained from raw material (craft), collected in secondary sources. The area in question is rich in Pleistocene fluvial terraces, as was previously noted at the site of Xarra, which is located at a short distance from our site. The number of tools found is small compared to the total amount of processing waste. This could possibly be related to the existence of a production workshop with wide spatial extent and high production intensity. The lack of a larger quantity of tools makes it difficult to determine chronologically this collection. In the absence of a more precise dating by means of the material culture discovered so far, absolute C14 dating remains the only possibility for now in terms of a clearer determination of the chronological affiliation of this collection.