Publications
Bouthrotos (Butrint) in the Archaic and Classical Periods: The Acropolis and Temple of Athena Polias
Archaeological excavations at Butrint, Albania, have revealed significant insights into the urban layout and historical shoreline of Bouthrotos during its Archaic and Classical periods (8th–4th century BCE). The Roman Forum Excavations (RFE) Project uncovered stratified material beneath the forum, allowing researchers to reconstruct the evolution of the acropolis and the Temple of Athena Polias. Notably, the study identified the temple's partial remains and traced the formation processes of the Butrint headland, providing a clearer understanding of its development in relation to Greek colonization in the region.
Beyond Butrint: The ‘Mursi Survey’, 2008
A field survey east of Butrint, Albania, reveals that the density of Imperial Roman sites extends significantly beyond the ancient city's immediate hinterland. Contrary to previous assumptions about urban continuity and landscape impact, the study finds sparse pre-Roman and post-Roman sites, with intense engagement between Butrint and its hinterland primarily during the Early Roman period following colonization. This challenges the narrative set by Horden and Purcell in The Corrupting Sea (2000), suggesting a more nuanced relationship between urban centers and their surroundings in this region.
Butrint in the mid-Byzantine period: a new interpretation
Recent excavations at Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Albania's southwest coast, have uncovered significant evidence that reshapes our understanding of the site during its mid-Byzantine period (8th–15th century). The study, focusing on the Western Defences of the Lower City, reveals new insights into the construction and occupation phases of this fortified area. By analyzing layers of archaeological data, researchers propose a revised chronology for Butrint's Byzantine era, highlighting its strategic importance and adaptive reuse over centuries. This work builds on decades of excavations, including recent collaborations between the Butrint Foundation, the Albanian Institute of Archaeology, and the University of East Anglia.
Ecotourism Opportunities and Challenges in Butrint, Albania, a Unique UNESCO and Ramsar Site
Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999 and a Ramsar site since 2003, presents significant ecotourism potential due to its unique combination of geographical position, landscape, biodiversity, and rich cultural heritage. The park is the most visited by foreign tourists in Albania, with opportunities for year-round visitation through activities like birdwatching, walking trails, biking, and scuba-diving. However, uncontrolled human activities such as illegal urbanization, wetland reclamation, mining, irrational marine aquaculture, hunting, excessive grazing, and fires pose substantial threats to these ecotourism opportunities. The study recommends strategies to mitigate these challenges and maximize the park's potential for sustainable ecotourism development.
Osteological and molecular identification of brucellosis in ancient Butrint, Albania
A groundbreaking study confirms the presence of brucellosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella bacteria, in human remains from ancient Butrint, Albania. Researchers identified severe vertebral lesions in two adolescent males dating to the 10th–13th centuries AD and ruled out tuberculosis through genetic screening. Positive amplification of Brucella DNA markers—IS6501 insertion element and Bcsp31 gene—in affected bones provided definitive evidence. This discovery suggests brucellosis was endemic in the region during the Middle Ages, offering new insights into past disease dynamics and human-animal interactions at a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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