- Item
- AIAC_2333
- Name
- Basilica B at Bylis
- Date Range
- 400 – 600
- Monuments
- Basilica (christian)
Seasons
-
AIAC_2333 - Basilica B at Bylis - 2000Në vitin 2000 u hapën dy kuadratë A dhe B në anekset jug-lindor të katedrales (ose e njohur ndryshe Bazilika B), përtej ambienteve të gëmuara nga fushatat e mëparshme shqiptare. Gërmimi u shtri më vonë drejt lindjes dhe më pas drejt jugut nëpërmjet gërmimit të një sipërfaqeje të murit duke zbuluar elementë të rinj në planin e fazës së mëvonshme monumentale. Materiali arkeologjik i zbuluar në këtë sezon gërmimesh përfaqësohet nga objekte metalike dhe fragmente qeramike.
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AIAC_2333 - Basilica B at Bylis - 2001During 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.
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AIAC_2333 - Basilica B at Bylis - 2007During 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.
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AIAC_2333 - Basilica B at Bylis - 2008Continuing 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.
Media
- Name
- Basilica B at Bylis
- Year
- 2000
- Summary
- sq Në vitin 2000 u hapën dy kuadratë A dhe B në anekset jug-lindor të katedrales (ose e njohur ndryshe Bazilika B), përtej ambienteve të gëmuara nga fushatat e mëparshme shqiptare. Gërmimi u shtri më vonë drejt lindjes dhe më pas drejt jugut nëpërmjet gërmimit të një sipërfaqeje të murit duke zbuluar elementë të rinj në planin e fazës së mëvonshme monumentale. Materiali arkeologjik i zbuluar në këtë sezon gërmimesh përfaqësohet nga objekte metalike dhe fragmente qeramike.
- en 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.
- Research Body
- Instituti Arkeologjik Tiranë (Albanian Institute of Archaeology)
- Université Blaise Pascal
- Funding Body
- Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères
Media
- Name
- Basilica B at Bylis
- Year
- 2001
- Summary
- en 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.
- sq Në sezonin e vitit 2001 vazhduan gërmimet në një nga ambientet e zbuluar në vitin e shkuar duke arritur deri në nivelin e dyshemesë së vonë. Më pas gërmimi u shtri drejt veriut, lindjes dhe jugut. Sondazhi i ndёrmarё nё pjesёn fundore tё murit me drejtim veri-jug zbuloi në nivelet më të thella qeramikë të periudhës helenistike (me vernik të zi dhe amfora të tipit greko - italik). Dy sondazhe të tjerë zbuluan dëshmi të gjysmës së parë të shek. 3 m.Kr., të cilat lidhen me një shtresë shkatërrimi, mbi të cilën u zbuluan fragmente qeramike të shek. 2-4 m.Kr. Faza e parë e kompleksit episkopal, sipas tё dhёnave tё gërmimit pёrmban material të shek. 5 m.Kr., dhe si terminus post quem shërbeu një amforë e tipit spatheion afrikane klasike dhe amfora LRA 1. Gjetjet e shumta në shtresat e sipërme tregojnë për një përdorim intensiv në këtë periudhë. Mbi murin helenistik mbështeten dy mure të tjerë, njё nё lindje (muri 257) dhe njё tjetёr nё perёndim (muri 231). Gërmimi në murin perёndimor tregoi se ai ёshtё njё mur i ndёrtuar pa themel. Në veri të tij dyshemeja është e shtruar me gurë të mëdhenj. Po aty u zbuluan gjurmët e katër tullave të cilat mund të lidhen me një kanal, të mbuluar nga muri perёndimor (muri 231). Pak më në jug u zbulua muri 212, paralel me muret 231 dhe 257, e nё afёrsi tё tij njё pitos i thyer. Më në jug të ambientit të gërmuar u zbulua një cisternë me fund hemisferik e cila hapet në këmbët e murit 503 i cili mendohet se i përket fazës së shek. 5 m.Kr. Faza tjetër është vendosur mbi njё shtresë që mbulon shtresën e shkatërrimit të fazës së mëparshme ndërsa kanalizimet që shkarkoheshin në cisternë u mbyllën në këtë periudhë. Një pjesë e hapësirës së shtruar është kthyer në oborr dhe kufizohet në lindje nga muri 503, në të cilin mbështetet një stol i murëzuar (muri 506). Në veri muri (239) me drejtimin lindje- perёndim kufizon bashkë me murin 503, një kalim i cili hapet drejt rrugës për tek muri i Justinianit. Muri 239 ka një kthesë drejt veriut e cila mё pas zhvendoset drejt lindjes. Oborri kufizohet pjesërisht në jug nga muri 408 ndërsa në perёndim nga muri 411 i gërmuar më parë. Materiali qeramik si amfora afrikane spatheion, LRA1B, LRA 2, si dhe një monedhë e periudhës së Justinianit lejon që ta datojmë fundin e kësaj faze në gjysmën e dytë të shek. 6 m.Kr.
- Research Body
- Université Blaise Pascal
- Instituti Arkeologjik Tiranë (Albanian Institute of Archaeology)
- Funding Body
- Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères
Media
- Name
- Basilica B at Bylis
- Year
- 2007
- Summary
- en 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.
- sq Në vitin 2007 u kryen gërmime në sektorin juglindor të kompleksit episkopal. Ato kishin si qëllim të zbulohej ambienti K – P i cili lidhej në jug me oborrin L. Kështu u ndërmor gërmimi i një grupi kuadratësh N1 – N5 dhe vazhdoi studimi i strukturave dhe i materialit arkeologjik të zbuluar në këtë sektor. Plani i hapësirës së njohur si K – P përbëhet nga 5 kuadrate të gjatë K1 – K5 prej të cilëve 4 hapen në oborrin L në periudhën e tij më të vonë. Fasada jugore përbëhet nga P3 dhe P4 me një planimetri pak a shumë katrore, gjerësia e të cilave korrespondon me K1 – K5. Në kuadratët P1 dhe P3, vazhdoi gërmimi i cili kishte filluar që në vitin 2002. Në kuadratin P3 u zbulua tërësisht bodrumi i cili ishte gjysmë i gërmuar ndërsa në ambientin P1 u gërmua një vazhdimësi furrash paralele. Kuadrati N2 zbuloi një stol të madh dhe fundet e disa pitosave që shërbenin për ruajtjen e rezervave ushqimore. Në N5 u zbulua një instrument prerёs, nё formё katrore prej të cilës ishte gërmuar vetëm gjysma. Zbulimi i tij konfirmon karakterin ekonomik të kompleksit. Ka të ngjarë që furrat në kuadratin P1C, kanë shërbyer për nxehjen e ujit të nevojshëm për prodhimin e vajit. Pasi tё arrihet tё kuptohen aktivitetet ekonomike të kompleksit atëherë do të kuptohen me saktësi dhe shkaqet e rënies së tij.
Media
- Name
- Basilica B at Bylis
- Year
- 2008
- Summary
- en 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.
- sq Në vazhdimësi të fushatave të mëparshme, kёtё sezon u kryen gërmime nё ambientet N (kuadratët N2 dhe N5) dhe në ambientet K – P (kuadratët K4 - P1A) të cilët lidheshin me oborrin L në veri dhe në jug. Kuadratët N2 dhe N5 duhet të kenë pasur ambiente tё pёrdorura si magazina. Mbulesa prej druri e N2 mbështetej mbi një diafragmë me dy harqe me një kolonë qendrore. Ngjitur me murin lindor u zbulua një stol dhe pitosa të shumtë në rresht. Kuadrati N5 zbuloi dhe dy vaska të tjera drejtkëndore më të mëdha në veri, të cilat komunikonin në lindje e në perëndim, në të cilat hyej nëpërmjet një shkalle duke lejuar të hidhej rrushi. Gërmimi i kuadratit K4 arriti deri në nivelin e poshtëm të dyshemesë duke konfirmuar ekzistencën e një porte qendrore në murin jugor. Një portë veriore është bllokuar ose mbyllur në një fazë më të vonë. Nëse proporcionet e K4 përputhen me ato të K1 dhe K2, plani i tij prezanton veçori origjinale dhe ambienti ka njohur transformime të rëndësishme. Këtë vit u ndërmorr dhe gërmimi i pjesës perëndimore të P1 (P1A). Nën shtresën e tjegullave u zbuluan nivelet e sedimenteve të zeza tashmë të njohura. Sondazhi përgjatë murit jugor zbuloi një kanal për largimin e mbeturinave dhe një kalldrëm me gurë të mëdhenj i cili shtrihej poshtë shkallëve të vona që të çonin në K4.
Media
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Chevalier et al. 2002C. 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.
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Chevalier et al. 2008P. 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
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Chevalier et al. 2009P. 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