proceedings of the international congress of albanian

Centre for Albanian StudiesInstitute of Archaeology

Proceedings of the INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

OF ALBANIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES

65th Anniversary of Albanian Archaeology (21-22 November, Tirana 2013)

Botimet Albanologjike

Tiranë 2014

Copyright © 2014 by Centre for Albanian Studies and Institute of Archaeology.

All rights reserved. No parts of this volume may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the

Albanian Institute of Archaeology.

ISBN: 978-9928-141-28-6

editorial board:

english translation and editing: Nevila Molla

Art design: Gjergji Islami and Ana Pekmezi

Proceedings of the internAtionAl congress of AlbAniAn ArchAeologicAl studies

65th Anniversary of Albanian Archaeology (21-22 November, Tirana 2013)

Professor Luan Përzhita (Director of Institute of Archaeology),

Professor Ilir GjiPali (Head of Department of Prehistory),

Professor Gëzim hoxha

(Department of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages),

Associate Professor Belisa Muka (Head of Department of Antiquity)

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the eArly Prehistory of AlbAniA: first

results of the ”germAn-AlbAniAn

PAlAeolithic“ (gAP) ProgrAmme

jürgen RIchteR, Ilir GjIpalI, thomas c. haUcK, Rudenc RUKa,

Oliver VOGelS and elvana Metalla

Palaeolithic research in Albania is still in its infancy. Palaeolithic artefacts having been found mostly incidentally and sporadically, a demand for more systematic research has recently lead us to establish a joint Albanian-German research project. Our first excavations to be presented here were carried out in southern Albania (Butrint region), central Albania (Vlora region) and in the northern Albanian highlands (Mati region). So far, Palaeolithic remnants were recovered representing two time slices: First, evidence for the presence of early Upper Palaeolithic humans is given by a series of radiocarbon dates in the lower part of the Blazi Cave sequence and by an excavated Aurignacian lithic assemblage from the open-air site of Shën Mitri near Butrint. Second, some caves inspected have also revealed traces of hunter-gatherers who used these shelters shortly after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM): Two Epigravettian sites, Blazi Cave (Mati) and Kanali (Vlora), date to around 18,000 years cal.B.P. or slightly younger. The new Albanian data fill a gap in the eastern Adriatic archaeological record. Comparing the Epigravettian sites with similar occurrences in NW Greece and adding recent data about the Late Pleistocene landscape evolution of Albania, it is possible to place the archaeological data into their proper cultural and environmental context.

Introduction

In 2008, one of the authors (Ilir Gjipali) decided to intensify Palaeolithic Research in Albania and, initially arranged by classical archaeologists Bashkim Lahi (Institute of Archaeology, Tirana) and Henner von Hesberg (German Archaeological Institute), the University of Cologne was identified as a partner for a possible survey programme. In 2009, Thorsten Uthmeier (now University of Erlangen-Nürnberg) and one of the authors (Jürgen Richter) visited Albania for the first time. Guided by Ilir Gjipali and Rudenc Ruka, the group visited some prehistoric sites, particularly in the Butrint area. At the same time, some artefact assemblages also underwent a first inspection. It became immediately clear that some of the collections contained some Middle Palaeolithic, Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic artefacts. Consequently, a joint project between the Albanian Institute of Archaeology and the University of Cologne (under the auspices of the Collaborative Research Centre 806 “ Our Way to Europe”, CRC806) started and a new phase of systematic research into the Pleistocene of Albania begun. This research is currently related to two main topics 1. Early modern human migrations into Europe around 40’000 years ago along an eastern

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trajectory across the Balkans 2. Population dynamics during important moments in human history such as the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) around 20’000 years ago. The Balkans may have played a key geographic role for Pleistocene human migrations in and out of Europe. Supposed traces of Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH) that are related to their earliest migration from Southwest Asia to Europe are found to date as far back as to between 45’000 and 40’000 years ago, connected with the „Uluzzian“ cultural unit. The latter has so far been found in one Greek and three Italian caves1. Provided that this culture represents a suite of adaptive strategies used by early modern humans colonizing the Adriatic fringe, it is possible that respective evidence can also be discovered in Albania. Succeeding the Uluzzian in time, the Aurignacian marks the beginning of the Upper Palaeolithic in Europe. Our investigations in Albania led to the discovery of Aurignacian sites in different topographic settings, such as caves in the mountainous region in the north as well as in open-air sites in the coastal lowlands. Apart from the archaeological record dating into Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3, several Palaeolithic sites in Albania reveal evidence for hunter-gatherer populations who persisted in the eastern Adriatic despite severe climatic deteriorations during MIS 2, namely the Last Glacial Maximum. This persistence of human populations can be explained by relatively favourable environmental conditions between 25 ka and 18 ka BP. Palaeoenvironmental data obtained by a CRC 806 drilling project in the freshwater lakes of Ohrid and Prespa show that Albania belonged to the Adriatic refuge area for certain plant communities at that time2. These limnic archives provide us with a detailed information about Upper Pleistocene and Holocene landscape evolution back to 90 ka B.P3. Based on this evidence of intermittent human presence in the Adriatic fringe during the LGM, it is assumed that areas further north were re-populated after the glacial peak from this persisting human population. Recent discoveries made by the joint Albanian-German research project already fill some gaps as we will show below but ongoing

investigations aim to improve the knowledge of Palaeolithic man in Albania and to contextualize the archaeological record with recently obtained insights into landscape evolution and demographic change.

Research history

The joint Albanian-German research project can be seen as a continuation of previous archaeological work on the Palaeolithic in different areas of Albania. However, most of these earlier investigations were sporadic in nature and the evidence provided is often less but clear.

Pre-World War II

In the first half of the 20th century, archaeological research in the field of early prehistory is connected with two archaeologists: Luigi Cardini and Bolko von Richthofen. Cardini (1940) identified open air sites and did some test excavations in a number of caves in southwest Albania. Among other things, Cardini discovered the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic surface site of Xarra and alleged Upper Palaeolithic deposits in Shën Marina Cave in the very south of Albania4. Von Richthofen (1939) mentions a Palaeolithic site of supposedly Upper Palaeolithic age at the foot of the Daiti Mountain near Tirana.

Communist Period

Research into the Palaeolithic of Albania continued during the 1970s and 80s with a relocation of the site of Xarra and a publication of newly detected surface finds5. In the north of Albania, pre-Neolithic layers were reported for Blazi Cave6. At another cave site, Gajtan Cave, excavations lead to the discovery of alleged Lower Palaeolithic material7. In the same area, Palaeolithic artefacts were found at the open-air site clusters of Bleran and Baran.

Post-Communist Period

Palaeolithic research after the Communist was mainly focussed on southern Albania with the

Jürgen RIchTER, Ilir GJIPALI, Thomas c. hAUcK, Rudenc RUKA, Oliver VOGELS and Elvana METALLA

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discovery of a large number of open-air sites in Mallakastra region8. Excavations in Konispol Cave gave evidence for the presence of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers9. Apart from these systematic studies, the quantity of Palaeolithic stone artefacts collected on the surface in different parts of Albania raised significantly10. To mention in this respect are the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic surface collections from the hill of Xarra11. Although some of the artefact collections are large, their scientific potential is weakened by the fact that they mostly contain a mixture of several different periods and lack any stratigraphic context12. Current archaeological research in the framework of the Albanian-German project focuses on three key areas: the lagoon of Butrint in the south, the large bay of Vlora on the southwestern coast and the karst region of Mati in the north (Fig. 1). Surveys and test excavations in all three regions lead to the discovery of Middle and Upper Palaeolithic material and they clearly show that Albania holds a huge potential for Palaeolithic research as it was a continuous crossroad for Pleistocene human populations.

Fig. 1. Topographic map of Albania and adjacent areas. The LGM coastline is set at -120m below modern sea-level. Sites under current investigation: 1, Kanali; 2, Blazi Cave; 3, Shën Miter and Xarra; 4, Lake Prespa (drilling core COL1215).

the Butrint region: excavations atthe open-air site of shën Mitri

The site was discovered in 2001 during surveys in the Butrint region13. Dense lithic scatters appear on the surface, among them small bladelet cores of Aurignacian type. To check for Palaeolithic layers in stratigraphic context, three parallel test trenches were opened in the mid part of the Shën Mitri hill (Fig. 2).

The east-west running trenches were spaced seven meters apart and excavated to a depth of 60 cm to 80 cm. The sequence recorded in all three trenches is as follows:

Layer 1: humic top soil (20-30 cm thick).

Layer 2: yellow-brown coloured sandy layer interspersed with iron oxides and manganese concentrations.

ThE EARLy PREhISTORy Of ALBANIA: fIRST RESULTS Of ThE ”GERMAN-ALBANIAN PALAEOLIThIc“ (GAP) PROGRAMME

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Fig. 2. View to Shën Mitri hill near Butrint.

In the test trenches and subsequent surface excavation, traces of Holocene settlements appeared throughout in form of several pits and a horizontal alignment of large limestone slabs in one area. Finds related to this period are extremely scarce and include only tiny, non-diagnostic pottery fragments and charcoal14. The area was likely structured several times as the series of radiocarbon dates for Layer 2 suggests Iron Age, Bronze Age and Neolithic occupations15. These Holocene settlement activities certainly affected the remains of Pleistocene human occupation. Lithic artifacts were found scattered throughout the sequence, however, two major concentrations appeared, one at 45 cm below the surface and another at the base of the excavated area. Post-depositional disturbance likely include the re-deposition of archaeological material in the course of sediment run-off and / or subsequent modification of Palaeolithic layers during Holocene settlement activities.

The excavated lithic artefact collection comprises 996 items of which 43% are chunks and fragments, many of them burnt (Tab. I).

The presence of carinated cores and thick end scrapers warrant an attribution to the Aurignacian (Fig. 3). The carinated cores exhibit the typical narrow and steep front with converging microblade removals and one or two lateral notches that accentuate its convexity. Microblades stemming from these cores are frequently twisted in their longitudinal section (Fig. 3, Nr.5-7). However, any other classic Aurignacian tools like simple burins or Dufour bladelets are lacking. Furthermore, the industry is flake-based likely as an adaptation to the small size of the flint pebbles.

For the time being, it is not possible to consider Shën Mitri as a definite Aurignacian site. Firstly, the dated charcoal samples do belong to the Holocene occupation history of the site. And


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Tab. I. Shën Mitri (2012): Excavated artefact assemblage.

Categories Top soil Layer 1-2 Layer 2 Pit 1 Total

Pebbles 1 1

Cores 8 4 9 8 29

Bladelet cores 2 1 1 4

Discoidal cores 1 1

Carinated pieces 2 5 1 8

Crested pieces 5 5

Core tablets 1 1

Blades / bladelets 10 5 25 7 47

Microblades 2 3 1 6

Flakes 94 38 160 46 338

Chips 31 16 42 19 108

Chunks 31 36 87 32 186

Debris / Burnt fragments 70 35 104 35 244

End scrapers 2 6 1 9

Side scrapers 2 2 4

Retouched flakes 1 1

Backed pieces 1 1

Other tools 1 1

Tool fragments 1 1 2

Total 252 141 448 155 996

secondly, the lithic artefact assemblage lacks further classic Aurignacian tools like simple burins or Dufour bladelets. Furthermore, the presence of small, flat semi-circular end scrapers could equally indicate an Epipaleolithic or even Mesolithic occupation. And the fact that many cores, including some carinated items, exhibit an altered coloration due to heat treatment likely indicates that some cores or even whole flint pebbles were tempered prior to bladelet production. Nevertheless, it is possible that a significant part of the lithic material was unintentionally burnt in fire places during Palaeolithic, Mesolithic or Holocene times.

It should be noted that a large number (around 20%) of all artefacts shows traces of heating with a wide spectrum from slightly burnt to nearly shattered. Speaking against an unequivocal attribution to the Mesolithic is the lack

of a typical Mesolithic tool-kit including geometric implements and other microliths. As the flake technology is non-diagnostic in terms of relative chronology and regarding the significant presence of an Aurignacian-type microblade technology, an attribution of the assemblage to the Aurignacian is the most probabilistic hypothesis at the current state of research. In this respect, it is important to continue field research at Shën Mitri in order to clarify the chronostratigraphy and aspects of site formation. The radiocarbon dates16 suggest a prolonged period of Holocene settlement activities. Apart from Shën Mitri, other hills in the vicinity also retain activity traces dating to the Bonze and Iron Age. Surveys conducted over many years have provided a multitude of archaeological finds pertaining to these periods in Butrint17, Kalivo18, Shën Dëlli19, Mursi20 and Stillo21). A similar intensity


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Fig. 3. Selected lithic artefacts from Shën Mitri, layer 2: 1, double carinated core; 2, blade; 3, carinated core; 4, microblade core; 5-6, micro-blades; 8-9, end scrapers.

of land-use during the Metal Ages is also identified in the other parts southwest Albania, such as in the Delvina basin and at the Ionian coast.

Kanal Rock-shelter

Southwest of Vlora, several rock-shelters and a few small caves have been located at the Rrëza e Kanalit, a limestone ridge delimiting a large floodplain to the south. The caves and shelters are remnants of former carstic systems that are now barely visible due to major collapses. The rock-shelter of Kanali (Kanali I) is the remnant of one such cave (Fig. 4). It faces northeast and its walls extend 60 m in length and around 20 m in height.

Holocene occupations at Kanal Rock-shelter

In the course of a small test excavation in 1939, L. Cardini found pottery fragments that he dated to the Chalcolithic and non-diagnostic lithic artefacts within the shelter22. Recent excavations in the same area furnished Late Mesolithic artefacts. However, the Mesolithic assemblage is mixed with Bronze Age and medieval material due to an intensive disturbance of the deposits caused by the repeated herding of cattle within the rock-shelter23. The recently opened trenches (2004 and 2012) provided prehistoric ceramics that are represented by fragments of rims, bases and handles, all


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Fig. 4. Kanali rock-shelter with Holocene archaeological layers in front.

characteristic of Late Bronze Age24 (Fig. 5). They were first recognized among the material from the 2004 excavation.

The 2012 excavation yielded some sherds (N=49) that date to the Roman and Medieval period. The assemblage of medieval pottery consists of a total of 35 sherds, including nine fragments of glazed tablewares, two fragments of common wares, fourteen fragments of coarse and cooking wares, and ten fragments of amphorae. Glazed tablewares include one rim fragment (Fig. 6, Nr. 1) painted with horizontal lines on the top of a rim, in a black-brown color, and a base fragment (Fig. 6, Nr. 2) with a ring foot painted in brown, with geometric motif (probably a grid-iron with dots on relief). These vessels belong to the Proto-Maiolica ware of southern Italy dated to the 13th-14th century25. The others are small fragments (six walls) of a closed shape belonging to a monochrome green ware dated to the 15th-16th century. A small piece of porcelain also occurs among the glazed ware.

The unglazed common wares are represented by a small handle fragment of a plain jug (Fig. 6, Nr. 7) and a wall fragment decorated with wavy incised lines (Fig. 6, No. 8) dated to the 13th -14th century.

Coarse and cooking wares are probably of local production in a gritty fabric, characterized by abundant lime and flint inclusions (0,2-0,4 mm),

Fig. 5. Selected ceramic sherds of Late Bronze Age at Kanal rock-shelter (Kanal I)

mica and sometimes quartz. We distinguished two rims and two flat bases (Fig. 6, Nr. 3, 5). Their fabrics vary from dark gray (2,5Y 4/1) or very dark gray (Gley 1 3N) to reddish brown color (5YR 5/4). The first is a simple rim (Fig. 6, Nr. 4) and the other an everted rim (Fig. 6, Nr. 6) that has a blackened or burnt surface on the top in the inner part, decorated with incised line outside. Based on the shape of the rim, these fragments can be dated to the 11th to 12th or even to the 13th century.

Amphorae are represented only by fragmentary walls, some with a smooth surface in a very pale brown fabric (10YR 7/4) and two others with pronounced horizontal ribs (Fig. 6, Nr. 9). It is difficult to determine the provenience of these pieces. However, they can be compared to some Middle Byzantine amphorae found in southern Italy and the eastern Adriatic dating to the 12th to 13th century or later26.


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Fig. 6. Selected ceramic sherds of Roman and Medieval deposits at Kanal rock-shelter (Kanal I).

Pleistocene occupations at Kanali II

Only some meters downslope from the mentioned rock-shelter, cave deposits were found in a small test trench now called the Kanali II site. Under the topsoil we found sediments which were obviously deposited inside of a former cave which is now collapsed. The test trench (1 x 1m) seems to display inclined layers of heterogeneous character indicating possible redeposition of the sediments. Throughout the whole sequence, lithic artefacts were found now reaching a depth of 100 cm. Though in secondary position, the lithic implements look very fresh and well-preserved. Thus, redeposition must have taken place at low energy and from a nearby in-situ source. Small core preparation flakes, burnt debris and small chips have been found among the 332 artifacts (Tab. II).

The tool-kit of Kanali II compares well to assemblages elsewhere attributed to the Epigravettian period (Fig. 7) thus indicating an age between the Last Glacial interstadial and the end of the Younger Dryas. Short end scrapers, microgravette points and the double truncated blade (trapezoid) argue for a later phase of the Epigravettian with trapezoid microliths becoming important27.

Recent excavations at Blaz Cave

Blazi Cave (Mati district, Fig. 1) is part of an active karst system within the Cretacious limestone zone of northern Albania28. The opening of Blazi Cave faces southwest to a dry valley at 300 m a.s.l. (Fig. 8). Visitors enter the cave by a 60 m long gallery. Further inside, the “Gallery of the Bats”

Tab. II. Kanali II (2012): Excavated artefact assemblage of Trench 1.

Categories N

Cores 1

Blades / bladelets 28

Flakes 134

Chips 58

Chunks 1

Debris / burnt fragments 86

Backed pieces 2

Backed blades 1

Backed bladelets 12

Gravette points 2

Retouched microblades 2

Truncated blades 1

Notched pieces 1

End scrapers 2

Tool fragments 1

Total 332


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Fig. 7. Selected artefacts of the Kanal II lithic assemblage: 1, tip of a Gravette point; 2, backed bladelet; 3, overshot blade fragment; 4-5 microgravette points; 6-8, backed bladelets; 9, double truncated blade (trapezoid); 10, short end scraper.

branches off leading another 200 m northward (Fig. 9). A narrow passage bridges both galleries. Another gallery is completely filled up with rock-fall. Dry stone walls which were recently built for animal herding in the cave partially seal the entrance.

Archaeological work at Blazi Cave started in 1979 on the search for early Holocene remains29. The excavations opened a sequence that comprises Pre-Neolithic deposits at its base followed by Early Neolithic layers after a hiatus. The top of the sequence contains Middle Neolithic and Late Bronze Age occupations. As in many prehistoric excavations during this time, the chronostratigraphy was based on typological criteria of the stone artefacts and ceramics. Our 2012 excavations reached the Fig. 8. Blaz Cave (Mat district).


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Fig. 9. Map and cross section of Blazi Cave showing the 2012 test trenches.

remaining part of the Holocene sequence in trench IV. The latter covers part of the Neolithic deposits with a dense charcoal concentration and Early Neolithic pottery fragments in its lower section. Radiocarbon samples are currently processed at the Cologne AMS laboratory to precisely date these early Neolithic visits to the cave and to further improve the chronology of the early Neolithic in the Adriatic region.

Since the 1979 excavations a large sediment volume was taken out exposing the bedrock in many areas. In search for long sequences we decided in 2012 to open three small test trenches (I, III and IV) in areas with remaining deposits (Fig.9). Trench I, near the entrance, contained 0,7 m of Pleistocene sediments (Fig. 10). In the top layer (layer 1), probably mixed with 1979 backdirt,

some artefacts have been found including backed bladelets. Underlying layer 2 yielded 174 lithic artifacts and a few bones (Tab. III).

Red to green colour radiolarite was used for blade and bladelet production, and a honey-colored, translucent flint was probably brought in the form of tools produced elsewhere. The Blazi Cave-layer 2 assemblage is of clear Epigravettian type (Fig. 11) with a matching Radiocarbon date (COL1959.1.1) of 18’820 ± 80 CAL B.P. from charcoal found in layer 230. So far, this is the radiometric date for an assemblage of this period in Albania. Underlying layers 3 and 4 consist of slightly weathered and chaotically aligned limestone clasts in a clayey matrix. Layer 3b shows a high content of manganese indicated by its distinctive black color (Fig. 10).

The layers’ strong inclination might argue for re-deposition of deposits from further inside the cave. Layers 3 and 4 were Radiocarbon dated to the time span between 35’000 and 45’000 years cal.B.P.31 Among the small number of eight artifacts, two blades were recovered made of radiolarite pebbles. The preservation of the rest of the assemblage is heterogeneous with slightly and heavily polished pieces and some with damaged edges. The excavated artefacts being not indicative for a specific cultural attribution, surface finds from

Tab. III. Blaz Cave (2012): Excavated artefact assemblage from Trench 1.

Categories Layer 1 Layer 2 Layers 3-4 Total

Cores 4 5 1 10

Core tablets 1 1

Blades / bladelets 9 50 3 62

Flakes 13 106 2 121

End scrapers 1 1 2

Backed bladelets 2 3 5

Gravette points 1 1

Retouched blades 1 3 4

Retouched bladelets 3 3

Splintered pieces 1 1

Denticulates 1 1

Side scrapers 1 1

Tool fragments 1 1

Indeterminable tools 1 1

Total 32 174 8 214


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Fig. 10. Southern section of Trench I in Blaz Cave showing the excavated Pleistocene sequence.

Fig. 11. Selected Epigravettian artefacts found in Blaz Cave, layer 2: 1, Blade core; 2, backed bladelet; 3, end scraper; 4, microgravette point.

the area in front of the site display both Middle Palaeolithic elements such as Levallois flakes and cores as well as numerous radiolarite side scrapers (Fig. 12, Nr. 1-2) and Upper Palaeolithic elements such as Aurignacian carinated cores and thick end scrapers (Fig. 12, Nr. 3-4, 8). Thus focusing on the space in front of Blazi cave, a further trench (Trench II) was dug outside the dripline (Fig. 9). Reaching a depth of 1,5 m, no Palaeolithic layers have been found so far., the excavation to be continued. Certainly, neighbouring caves must also be tested for potential Middle and Upper Palaeolithic occupations. Future excavations will focus on these caves. As a further step of research, it will be possible to compare these cave sites with open-air localities in the coastal lowlands thus possibly elucidating the first occupation of southeastern Europe by Modern Humans.

First results: windows into Upper Palaeolithic culture and environment of

Albania

The archaeological evidence presented here already shows that the Albanian territory provides

an important piece in the puzzle of Pleistocene human migrations and population dynamics. Though needing further confirmation, it seems that Homo sapiens reached Albania quite early: charcoals from Blazi Cave in northern Albania date into the time slice between 45 and 30 ka B.P. and Middle Palaeolithic and Aurignacian type artefacts discovered on nearby surfaces provoke further research in the Mati karst area.

Aurignacian material is also known from surface collections of the coastal lowlands. At one such place called Shën Mitri in the lagoon of Butrint, a test excavation provided a rich lithic assemblage. However, at Shën Mitri the situation is complicated by a mismatch between Holocene radiocarbon dates and the Upper Palaeolithic nature of the lithic assemblage. Its techno-typological structure compares to the early Aurignacian assemblage of level IV at Klissoura Cave, Greece 32. The early Aurignacian of Klissoura dates back to around 35 to 37 ka CAL B.P.33 and it is possible that the Shën Mitri assemblage is at least of the same age.

Time resolution and coherence of cultural affiliation is somewhat better for the late LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) sites in Albania. At two localities,


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Fig. 12. Lithic artefacts discovered on the terrace slope in front of Blazi Cave: 1, convex

side scraper (MP); 2, convergent side scraper (MP); 3, carinated end scraper (Aurignacian ?); 4, thick end scraper (Aurignacian ?); 5, burin on retouched blade

fragment (UP); 6, backed bladelet (Epi-)Gravettian;

7, retouched blade (UP); 8, carinated burin (Aurignacian ?).

Blazi Cave and Kanali, Epigravettian remains were discovered during test excavations. The two Albanian sites belong to a wider pan-Adriatic Epigravettian phenomenon of technological change that happened in the course of the LGM and post-LGM period. The change composes a shift from a steppe-adapted to a forest-adapted system with the onset of deglaciation and the spread of mixed deciduous woodlands after 15 ka B.P34. A diversified body of lithic tool forms successively enriched by innovations such as geometric microliths exemplifies the dynamics of human adaptation during the Epigravettian period35. Exchange of information and material goods was supposed to be rather easy across the exposed LGM coastal plain, and therefore, close cultural relations probably existed between both sides of the Adriatic Sea36. Among

other factors, this explains the similarity between the Albanian record and other Epigravettian sites of northern Greece and Italy. Regarding the congruence of their tool-kits, the Blazi Cave and Kanali II assemblages share features with the Late Epigravettian assemblages of Kastrita layers 3-1, Klithi and Boïla in the Epirus mountains of NW Greece, at roughly 100 km distance to Kanali and dated between 24,000 and 14,500 years CAL B.P.37.

At this time, NW Greece and the Albanian south might have been parts of a mobility system of hunter-gatherer tied to the systemic habitat of prehistoric populations38 . Paleogeographical studies around the Adriatic fringe suggest the presence of a favorable diversified environment during the major peak of the last glaciation. The significant lowering of the Mediterranean sea level of up to


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120 m during MIS 2 (around 20,000 years ago) lead to a significant extension of coastal lowlands. The central and northern LGM coast of Albania was situated around 50 km offshore from the present-day coastline (Fig. 1). Drained by melt water discharge from the Dinaric Alps and Pindos Mountains these lowlands were covered with a well-watered steppe environment39 . Contrasting with this steppe environment, permanent woodland covered the mountain areas in the hinterland.

Parallely to the GAP project presented here the University of Cologne also conducts palaeo-environmental research in the region within the same CRC 806 research centre (see www.sfb806.de). The pollen profile of Lake Prespa at 850 m.a.s.l. shows that temperate tree populations were growing throughout the whole glacial period40. Although pine trees dominated LGM forests, the continuous presence of Abies and Quercus in the Prespa pollen record proves that also less cold-adapted species survived in this refuge area. The diversity and stable presence of these plant communities is matched by a rich LGM mammal biome. Archaeozoological studies of last glacial faunal assemblages from Istria suggest the presence of a broad variety of mammalian species in the Great Adriatic plain41. It is of no wonder that Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers were permanently present within this favourable environmental context. In order to determine and to refine the spatial extent of the LGM and post-LGM contextual area in the eastern Adriatic and to work out similar models for earlier time slices, Palaeolithic research in Albania aims to increase the number of archaeological sites and extending the scope of information at the sites presented in this paper.

Acknowledgements

The Collaborative Research Centre 806 “Our Way to Europe – Culture-Environment Interaction and Human Mobility in the Late Quaternary” (Cologne, Bonn, Aachen) is generously supported by the DFG (German Research Foundation). We would like to thank Prof. Janet Rethemeyer for kindly providing the AMS 14C dating results. Further thanks goes to the Albanian Institute of Archaeology for

Notes

1. Palma di Cesnola 1989; Koumouzelis et al. 2001; Peresani 2008, 20112 Wagner et al. 2009, 2010, 20123 Panagiotopoulos et al. 20144 Francis and Vulpi 2005; Mustilli 19405 Budina 1971; Korkuti 19836 Prendi and Andrea 19817 Fistani 19938 Runnels et al. 2004, 20099 Korkuti et al. 199610 Gjipali 201211 Francis and Gjipali 2005; Harrold et al. 199912 Gjipali 201213 Korkuti 2003; Gjipali 200614 Based on general shape characteristics and fabric, the pottery fragments can be attributed to the Late Bronze and Iron Age. 15 Hauck et al., submitted16 Hauck et al., submitted17 Haxhis 1998, 223. The excavations between 1994 and 1995 yielded prehistoric ceramics at a few rocky pockets that are affiliated to the Bronze and Early Iron Age. A single mat painted fragment can be affiliated to the Devollite style.18 Gjipali 2008, 27. Between 2004 and 2007 test pits were conducted at Kalivo in the southern part within the walls (the deposits were not stratified). They yielded prehistoric ceramics, the general characteristics of which allow an attribution to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age.19 At the western side of the Shën Dëlli hill I. Gjipali discovered pottery fragments as well as a bronze spearhead of Late Bronze Age together with lithic flakes.20 The 2010 excavations done by Dh. Çondi and

providing technical support. For their help we would like to thank all Albanian students and workers who participated in fieldwork.


D.Hernandez at Mursi hill above the village school lead to the discovery of ceramic fragments of Late Bronze Age. This was also confirmed by C14 dating.

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21 Gjipali 2008, 27. The excavation at Kepi i Stillos between 2005 and 2007 at three sectors yielded a multitude of archaeological finds. The materials indicate the use of the settlement mainly during the Bronze and Early Iron Age.22 Francis and Vulpi 200523 Kurti 2005; Francis et al. 200924 Kurti 200525 Patitucci-Uggeri 1984; Vroom 200326 Arthur 1989; Zmaić and Miholjek 201227 Dalmeri et al. 200428 Xhomo et al. 200229 Prendi 1979; Prendi and Andrea 198130 Hauck et al., submitted31 Hauck et al., submitted32 Koumouzelis et al. 200133 Kuhn et al. 201034 Bailey and Gamble 199035 Bietti 1990; Milliken 199836 Whallon 2007; Cancellieri 2010; but see Mihailovic and Mihailovic 200737 Kotjabopoulo et al. 1999; Adam 1999; Runnels 1995; Bailey 199938 Richter et al. 201239 Van Andel and Shakleton 1982; Shakleton et al. 198440 Panagiotopoulos et al. 201441 Miracle 2007

Adam 1999 E. Adam, The Upper Palaeolithic Stone Industries of Epirus in their Regional Setting. British School at Athens Studies 3: 137–147.Arthur 1989

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