Summer ’24 with the Centre IV

26 06 2024

Our Balkan peregrinations continue. Already “settled back in” at the archaeological site in Risan. After a cumbersome transfer from Albania caused by huge traffic jams and the closure of some roads due to renovations, departures, arrivals, purchasing supplies for the base, and the entire organizational procedure – fieldwork has finally commenced. An international group of interns has also arrived, including a colleague from Greece and one from Turkey.

Due to the rainy spring, it was difficult to locate the excavation site. The area had become overgrown with grass, new bushes, and saplings. After painstaking cleaning, we continue our research on the so-called agora, a place in the center of ancient Rhizon where the main city square was likely located. Our point of reference is the monumental stylobate of the portico from Roman times.

In this campaign, we aim to capture the complete stratigraphy of the square’s surface and determine whether the Roman urban layout corresponded to the Hellenistic one. Work progresses rhythmically, although, as throughout the Balkans, we suffer from a shortage of workers, but the enthusiasm of those who work with us largely compensates for this shortage. For now… this enthusiasm has also spread to the group of interns. They have already begun documentary work – which of course starts with drawing pottery shards…

During the campaign, we also face the complex task of documenting previously discovered monumental architraves and column shafts from the excavation, which we managed to remove with heavy equipment and deposit in the Risan Mosaic Museum.

As is often the case in the field, the weather sometimes does not spare us. This year is no exception. After torrential rain and a violent storm, the temperature started to rise and we are slowly “baking in an open fire.” It is a good opportunity to sweat out all toxins, and some of the team might melt off some fat (sic!). The next two weeks are expected to bring record temperatures and violent storms. However, we hope that Queen Teuta will be gracious to us.

A series of photos from the base and the excavation, we hope, will allow our readers to ignite their imagination and virtually engage in our archaeological life.

To be continued…