The Earliest Urbanized Settlements in the Hinterland of Apollonia (Albania): 7th–Mid 5th Century BC

156 Pages·2003·12.69 MB·English

THE EARLIEST URBANIZED SETTLEMENTS IN THE HINTERLAND OF
APOLLONIA (ALBANIA): 7th – MID 5th CENTURY B.C.

A thesis submitted to the

Division of Research and Advanced Studies
of the University of Cincinnati

in partial fulfillment of the
requirements of the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

in the Department of Classics
of the College of Arts and Sciences

2003

by

Ols Lafe

B.A., University of Tirana, Albania, 2001

Committee Chair: Jack L. Davis
Archie J. Christopherson
C. Brian Rose
ABSTRACT

This thesis examines the earliest inhabited settlements of the hinterland of the Greek
colony at Apollonia during the Protourban period (ca. 700 - 450 B.C). The areas of Myzeqe and
Mallakastra are the geographical focus of this detailed analysis. The first chapter concentrates on
the discussion of the physical landscape of these areas, and the history of archaeological
research. The second chapter consists of the list of sites that are discussed in this thesis. Their
fortifications, domestic architecture, and pottery are analyzed. In the third chapter a discussion of
the inter-settlement and intra-settlement levels is made. The lack of burials near the native sites
of this period is noted. Trade in the hinterland of Apollonia, and appearances of imported
pottery, namely Corinthian and Ionian but also from other regions of Greece, are discussed.
The fourth chapter is a survey of burial rites at Apollonia and the factors that may have
influenced the Greeks to adopt the rite of tumulus burial. A history of excavation and research
conducted in the main Apollonian necropolis is provided, and for the first time all the excavated
tumuli burials are described and figures on the types of graves are discussed. The use of pithoi
and sarcophagi at Apollonia and Epidamnos/Dyrrachium received particular attention. At the
Greek colony of Epidamnnus/Dyrrachium there were no sarcophagi in use before the Roman
period, while Apollonia had used them for some time during the Archaic and early Classical
period. Then, a survey of the limestone quarries in the vicinity of Apollonia is made, that
investigates the various ways that limestone could have been brought to Apollonia; methods used
for extracting the limestone and the presence near the quarries of shipwrecks carrying limestone
blocks suggested that the sea was the preferred method of transportation.
Prindërve të mi Pavli e Margarita,
Emit, dhe Ilirit të vogël…
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to express my deep gratitude to my primary advisor for this thesis, Professor
J. L. Davis, who introduced me to survey techniques for the first time in 1998, when I had just
finished the first year of undergraduate studies in the Department of History and Philology at the
University of Tirana, Albania. His unfailing support and advice convinced me to write this thesis
that deals with the area of Apollonia, the same area in which I enhanced my survey but also my
excavation skills. I would also like to express my thanks to Professor A. Christopherson for
discussing every detail of this thesis with me and for his encouragement during its writing.
Throughout my graduate studies he has generously supported my work and shared with me his
thoughts and ideas.
In Albania, Professor Muzafer Korkuti introduced me to the Prehistory of Albania in the
early years of my career and for the continuous support and advice I immensely thank him. Dr.
Skënder Muçaj was always there to answer questions regarding my thesis, but also my enquiries
about the pottery of Apollonia never went unanswered. I would also like to express my gratitude
to my long time friend Gerti Veshaj at the Department of Political Sciences at the University of
Tirana, for accompanying me in my trips around Apollonia and the Vlora Bay area. Special
thanks go to my close friend Dorian Dai at thePhilipps-Universität Marburg, Germany, for

hosting me at his house in Vlora during my research.
Many people at Cincinnati have been always there when I had questions dealing with my
thesis. I would like to thank in particular Carol Hershenson, who read several drafts of this
thesis, making it possible for me to defend it, Jennifer Glaubius, who read earlier drafts and kept
me laughing throughout this time, and Joanne Murphy who shared with me her insights in
mortuary archaeology. Dr. Kathleen Lynch has discussed with me the Ionian pottery fragments
found in Albania. Certainly thanks go to everyone else in the Department of Classics who
supported me during my research.
The writing of this thesis would have never taken place without the generous and
constant support of the Department of Classics and the Louise Taft Semple Fund. The Open
Society Foundation for Albania awarded me a grant to study the ancient coastal settlements in
Albania during the summer of 2002.
My brother Emilio in Tirana, and John Wallrodt here at Cincinnati have kept my
computer running and I thank them for facilitating my research. My parents Pavli and Margarita,
have provided support in countless ways. Their passion for learning and for participating in
archaeological discussions is thrilling and inspiring. Without them I could have not finished this
thesis and for that I am grateful.
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract ii
Acknowledgments v
List of tables 4
List of illustrations 5
Introduction 9
Chapter I 18
The Landscape of the Mallakastra and Myzeqe Areas 18
The Adriatic Coastline and the Eastern Mountain Formations 20
The Main Valleys 21
Archaeological Research in the Region: Pre-WWII 23
William Martin Leake: A British Traveler in Southern Albania 23
The Austrian Occupation 24
N. G. L. Hammond in Albania 25
Archaeological Research in the Region: Post-WWII 26
The Settlement of Klos 27
Patos Tumulus 27
The Hilltop of Margëlliç 28
Mashkjezë 29
The Albanian-French Excavations at Apollonia 30
MRAP - Mallakastra Regional Archaeological Project 30
Chapter II 32
Aranitas 34
2
Babunja e Re 35
Belishovë 37
Dimal 38
Drenovë 39
Gurzezë 40
Kalivaç 42
Klos 43
Kutë 44
Lalar 46
Luar 46
Margëlliç 47
Marinëz 51
Mashkjezë 52
Mashkjezë B 55
Strum 56
Chapter III 58
Excavation, Survey or Agricultural Activity? 59
Evidence for Social Organization 60
The Intra-Settlement Data 61
The Inter-Settlement Data 63
Trade in the Protourban Period: Native Population vs. Greeks 68
Chapter IV 74
The Origin of the Greek Colonists at Apollonia 75
3
History of Excavation and Research at the Main Necropolis of Apollonia 77
Burial Rites at Apollonia and Epidamnos During the
Archaic/Classical Period 84
The Limestone Quarries at Karaburun 87
Conclusions 92
Abbreviations 98
Bibliography 99
Illustrations 111
4
LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Albanian Chronology.
Table 2: List of Sites Mentioned in Text.
Table 3:a-b: Chart and Histogram Listing the Method of Identification For Sites.
Table 4: Site Histogram Showing Presence/Absence of Architectural Remains.
Table 5: Fortified Sites in Albania Divided by Phases (after Ceka 1983c, p. 145).
Table 6: 6th - 5th Century B.C. Grave Types.
Table 7: 4th - 2nd Century B.C. Grave Types.
Table 8: Histogram of Grave Types - Tumulus 6.
Table 9: Grave Types - Tumulus 6.
Table 10: Grave Types - Tumulus 7.
Table 11: Grave Types - Tumulus 8.
Table 12: Histogram of Grave Types - Tumulus 9.
Table 13: Grave types - Tumulus 9.