Archeological Missions : Albania
Egnatia Route. The most important ancient mining areas for precious metals in the southern Balkan region lie on the same latitude and connect with the Via Egnatia. The roads to the region’s smaller mines, which have been known and utilised since the 8th century BC, converge here.
The route we are interested in runs along Lake Ohrid on both the Albanian and Macedonian sides, which is why it is of great interest to connect the two areas
The aim of the project is to create a joint laboratory which, based on the geological study of the archaeological and architectural remains of sites in the Librazhed and Elbasan areas (Albania), will make it possible to propose innovative strategies and solutions for the valorization of the territory, with particular attention to the archaeological heritage of mining areas located in a sensitive ecosystem and exploited in different periods from prehistory to the present day. In particular, the research focuses on the study of the ancient road network and the ancient mining contexts in Albania, to understand the settlement and production processes within the historical evolution of the landscape. Over the years of research, the knowledge of the area has allowed the development of three different lines of research:
- Landscape transformations and archaeological contexts
- The development of a digital atlas of the sites studied
- The creation of ancient itineraries to enhance the territory, with reference to the Via Egnatia.
The three lines of research will converge in a vast project in which the mines and their associated sites will form part of a system of studies and analyses that can be applied to other ancient mining areas, to develop an innovative research perspective in line with a new shared European culture.
Remains of the Roman bridge over the Shkumbinit river
Perrenjas mining area (Elbasan)