2019

General view of the archaeological area, Area 4 visible on the left

The fifth archaeological research campaign on  site took place between 29 May and 24 June 2019 and, as per agreements with the Albanian colleagues of the Institute of Archeology of Tirana and the Butrint National Park, focused on two different targets.

First of all, the stratigraphic excavation of the southern plateau of the Acropolis, near the Archaic wall, in the area between the Venetian Castle and the Acropolis Basilica. The area had already been investigated several times, initially by the Greek-Albanian Mission led by A. Nanaj and K. Hadzis (1991-1995) and subsequently by the Butrint Foundation (2006 and 2009). Research covered four areas:

  • Area 1, in correspondence with Room IX and VIII of the plan published by the Butrint Foundation; 
  • Area 2, near the internal face of the Medieval wall covering the Archaic masonry; 
  • Area 3, in correspondence with Room VII (Butrint Foundation plan); 
  • Area 4, in correspondence with Room VI (Butrint Foundation plan).

The first three areas were only partially excavated, in particular Areas 2 and 3, in order to trace the structures that had already been discovered by previous campaigns, as well as, when possible, intact stratigraphies on the bedrock. Area 4 was the only one interested with new, extensive excavations, as it had been only partially dug by the Butrint Foundation.

At the end of the campaign, some protective interventions were carried on the most damaged walls in order to preserve the conservation of the structures. 

A second important part of the campaign involved the topographic and photogrammetric survey using the Laser Scanning method of both the circuit wall in the stretch between the Roman Forum and the so-called Tower Gate, and the circuit wall along the southern slope of the acropolis, the so-called Archaic wall.

During the campaign, part of the Team had also the chance to visit the sites of Pyrgos Ragiou, Dymokastro, Elea, Doliani as well as the Archaeological Museum of Igoumenitsa.

 

Team: Enrico Giorgi, Belisa Muka, Francesco Pizzimenti, Michael Benfatti, Nadia Aleotti, Veronica Castignani, Federica Carbotti, Angela D'Alise, Rodolfo Gagliardi, Lorenzo Toscano, Elia Bettini, Daniela Ferko, Taip Kaca, Ani Tomori

Highlights