Publications
Butrint
Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Albania, offers a comprehensive archaeological narrative spanning 5,000 years of Mediterranean history. The site's strategic significance as a seaport is highlighted through the integration of latest archaeological data, revealing its evolution from Bronze Age foundations to its role under Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian rule. A key insight emerges from the chronological organization of findings, which traces Butrint’s transformation—from an ancient Greek sanctuary and Roman colony to a medieval Byzantine kastron—and its rediscovery by the Italian Archaeological Mission in 1928. This work not only sheds light on Butrint’s cultural heritage but also establishes it as Albania’s premier archaeological site, blending academic rigor with accessibility for students and general readers alike.
Butrint and Coastal Chaonia (Saranda, Albania)
Recent research at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint, Albania, has uncovered evidence of long-term settlement on the acropolis and advanced our understanding of the site's historical development. Using innovative methodologies such as laser scanning, mapping, stratigraphic investigations, and digital documentation, the Butrint Project—led by the University of Bologna in collaboration with the Archaeological Institute of Tirana—has reconstructed Butrint’s past from its Hellenistic city walls to its modern-day significance. Underwater explorations of the lagoon have further elucidated the site’s topography and landscape dynamics. The project also integrates landscape archaeology to analyze settlement patterns and socioeconomic factors across coastal Epirus, while promoting public engagement through educational initiatives. This interdisciplinary approach not only deepens our knowledge of Butrint’s Mediterranean history but also underscores its cultural heritage value.
The glass from the Western Defences at Butrint
A detailed analysis of glass artifacts from the Western Defenses at Butrint, particularly from Towers 1 and 2, reveals a sophisticated trade network connecting Butrint with Egypt, Syria, and Palestine during the Late Roman and Byzantine periods. The study cataloged and classified glass fragments—including window glass, bottles, jugs, and goblets—by type, color, and manufacturing technique. Chemical composition data was used to trace the provenance of these artifacts, suggesting a dynamic exchange of goods. Tower 1's context hints at its possible role as a storage or recycling hub, offering new insights into the economic and cultural dynamics of the time.
Butrint National Park 'Integrated Management Plan' - Combining Natural Park with Cultural Heritage
Butrint, a UNESCO-listed site straddling the boundaries of cultural heritage and natural conservation, faces significant challenges due to climate-induced flooding, particularly affecting its ancient theatre and Roman forum. A novel Integrated Management Plan (IMP), implemented in 2021, aims to address these issues by streamlining conservation efforts and archaeological interventions across both cultural and natural domains. This approach seeks to overcome the inefficiencies caused by jurisdictional overlaps between institutions, ensuring sustainable and long-term management of the site's monuments. The IMP represents a critical step toward balancing the preservation of Butrint's rich layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian heritage with the protection of its surrounding natural park ecosystem.
A Colossal Cult Statue Group from Dobër, Albania: Visual Narratives of East and West in the Countryside of Butrint
A colossal cult statue group from the countryside of Butrint, Albania, reveals the region's pivotal role as a cultural crossroads between East and West. The statues, discovered in 1913 on a low hill called Dobër, depict the enthroned Mother of the Gods flanked by two standing male figures—likely Attis or a figure from the Trojan saga, such as Askanios—and an unidentified male. Stylistic analysis suggests these statues date to the late fourth or third century BCE and were likely housed in a temple at Dobër. The group serves as a visual narrative of Butrint's literary and cultural ties to Troy, while also highlighting its strategic importance during Rome's Macedonian Wars and Augustan colonization. Archival research challenges the association of a veiled female head from Ioannina with this group, reinforcing the focus on Butrint's historical significance.
The Roman Suburb on the Vrina Plain Outside Butrint, Albania
Archaeological excavations led by the Butrint Foundation between 2000 and 2007 revealed a previously unrecognized Roman suburb on the Vrina Plain, adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint in Albania. This unfortified settlement emerged around a multi-arched bridge spanning the Vivari channel, initially consisting of small dwellings and shops before evolving into a substantial channelside villa—akin to those found within Butrint's walled enclosure. The discovery challenges earlier assumptions by Luigi Maria Ugolini, who had not identified this suburb at Phoinike or Butrint. This study, published in GROMA: Documenting Archaeology, sheds new light on the early Roman urbanization and architectural development outside Butrint's fortified boundaries.
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 1992 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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