By Tirana Times staff
news@tiranatimes.com
For the fourth time, the bottom of the sea in Durres will be subjected to scrutiny. An official source of the Institute of Archaeology has declared to the media that underwater archaeological maps have been completed, which are digital and three dimensional and now work continues on the sea bottom. In July-August 2007, the Albanian Institute of Archaeology, in cooperation with the maritime foundation RPM and the American Institute of Naval Archaeology INA, carried out, for the first time, an international scientific research project and drafted underwater archaeological, digital and three-dimensional maps.
Archaeological research
The Albanian coastline will be this year too, the target of archeological survey to bring to light facts that prove Mediterranean civilization over the Centuries. Underwater archaeological expeditions and observations of the last few years, conducted together with foreign partners, will continue this summer at several locations of interest off the southern and central coastline. Dr. Adrian Anastasi, Chief of the Underwater Archaeology Sector under the Institute of Archaeology, said that along the coastline of Durres, underwater observations will continue targeting the ancient Dures Port. The Albanian underwater archaeological wealth is now being registered in an inventory. Dr. Anastasi says that this work began one year ago in cooperation with Dr. Jeffrey Royal of the Nautical RPM Foundation from the USA. Dr. Anastasi also said that during this summer, the expedition intends initiating an underwater archaeological excavation, at an average depth, the first of its kind in Albania. During this year, these objects will be exhibited for specialists and the public of Durres, while the long term aim is the creation of an underwater archaeological museum inside the castle of Ali Pascha of Tepelena at Porto Palermo in Vlora. During the summer of 2008, underwater surveys are also envisaged for the zone of Tripoli. The discovery of ceramic objects here confirm contact with maritime culture of the Mikenase period, while in the zone of Orikum, it is thought that the first evidence of the major naval battle between Caesar and Pompeii more than two thousand years ago may be discovered.
