TIRANA, April 29 – Albania’s National Archaeology Council plans to conduct around 20 archaeological expeditions in archeological parks and sites for 2013 including underwater scanning and research into the Amantia park in southern Albania. In a meeting held this week, new Culture and Tourism Minister Visar Zhiti who also chairs the Council said a series of excavations into antiquity have been carried out in Apolonia, Phoinike, Antigone, Dimal Orikum, Shkodra and Butrint. Late antiquity and Middle Ages excavations have focused on the Monument of 40 Saints in Saranda, Bylis, Vlora, Lezha, Koman and Elbasan, said the minister, adding that apart from the continuation of these projects to other stages, research will also be carried out into the Amantia, southern Albania, an archaeological park since 2005.
“I would like all projects to be promoted for cultural tourism purposes which means more employment and more carefulness to the environment. Our priority remains the preservation, protection, study and promotion of cultural heritage,” said Zhiti.
Amantia project
The project into the Amantia archeological park targets a thorough exploration of the site.
Under the park’s current condition, it is impossible to carry out massive excavation and for this reason a gradual progress is suggested considering even the logistic needs of the project. Two surveys are expected to be conducted in the park’s fortification to identify architectonic elements in all periods of its habilitation. The five-year project will be led by Elio Hobdari and Jamarber Buzo.
An archeological park since 2005, Amantia was the historical capital of the Illyrian tribe of Amantes and was founded around the V century, BCE. It is located in the present day city of Plloca in the Vlora River Valley. At its peak, Amantia featured an acropolis and a Doric-style temple dedicated to Aphrodite. Most notable among the preserved features is the stadium, measuring 60 X 12.5m. A significant sculpture, the relief of the God of Fertility, can be seen at the National Historic Museum. Additional relics from Amantia are on display at the Archaeological Museum in Tirana.
Underwater archeological map
Among the projects is also the compilation of an underground archaeological map in Albania’s coastline. Led by US-based RPM Nautical Foundation, the project is expected to scan waters from the Vlora Bay to the delta of the Shkumbin River.
Experts have discovered at least 10 important relics, which belong to shipwrecks since ancient times period (7th century B.C.) during collection of data for underwater map in the course of six years.
Ardian Anasatasi, the co-director of the US-Albanian mission which has been exploring Albanian underwaters since 2007 says a 4th century ship discovered in the Ionian waters is being virtually reconstructed in the US.
Speaking of this year’s expedition, Anasatasi says underwater scanning focused in the Vlora Bay from Orikum to the Gollovec Cape as well as north of Sazan island and the Vjosa outlet to compile the underwater maps, a process which started in 2007.
In 2011, the US-Albanian mission discovered a giant cargo ship believed to have sunk during World War II in the waters of Karaburun peninsula, southern Albania.
The US-Albanian expedition has been searching Albanian waters for four years to discover archaeological objects. The joint expedition will continue scanning Albanian waters to compile underwater maps, putting Albania among the few Mediterranean countries which have been able to identify their underwater heritage.
According to Auron Tare, the expedition’s coordinator, the project’s final goal is to establish a museum of archaeology, possibly in Porto Palermo, which will make possible the preservation and display of underwater heritage.
The US-Albanian expedition has discovered numerous amphoras and artefacts including ancient Greek, Roman, medial and modern finds. Dozens of wreck sites including warships and armoured vehicles have also been discovered.
