Wet-Site Excavation and Field Methodology at Butrint, Albania: The Roman Forum Excavations Project

A groundbreaking approach to wet-site excavation at Butrint, Albania, has revealed well-preserved organic remains dating back to the 7th century BCE. The Roman Forum Excavations (RFE) Project, conducted between 2011 and 2013, pioneered the use of water table depths as a limit for archaeological excavation, reaching up to 4 meters below the surface in the ancient urban center. This methodology not only uncovered significant organic materials but also demonstrated the effectiveness of training local workers, which significantly improved excavation techniques and data quality. The study highlights the interconnectedness of field methodologies and their impact on the preservation and understanding of wet-site archaeology.

Hernandez, D. R. (2017). Wet-Site Excavation and Field Methodology at Butrint, Albania: The Roman Forum Excavations Project. Journal of Field Archaeology, 42(4), 312–325. https://doi.org/10.1080/00934690.2017.1338511