Kora Basin Archaeological Survey Project: Preliminary Report for the 2006 Season The second field season

of the Kora Basin Archaeological Survey (KOBAS) Project was conducted during the period 330 September 2006. After the first pilot operation of 2005, this was the first full scale season of fieldwork, in which cooperated members of the Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit, Archaeological Museum of Kora-Institute of Archaeology, University of Tirana and the University of Zagreb[1].. The project is generously funded by the Packard Humanities Institute. [2] Being a continuation of the work carried out in 2005, the same methodology of field walking, data recording as well as collection strategies were employed. The main difference with the previous season lies in the scale of operation. This year, two surveying teams worked simultaneously for 21 days in two neighboring, but well distinguished areas. During 17 days, both teams conducted regular field survey and the four remaining days were dedicated to site collection. This year a new component of soils and landscape studies was added to the project. A brief description of these investigations done by John Foss is included as a separate section in this report. Area of research During 2006 an area of 10.7 km2 was surveyed by two teams: team B covering area B (6.4 km2) and team C working in area C (4.3 km2) (fig. 1).

Figure 1 Surveyed area according to teams

In a systematic fashion this year was continued the survey of the whole territory to the northwest of area A covered last year. The main boundary to the west and southwest of the whole survey area was the new highway connecting Kor with the Albanian-Greek border at Kapshtic. To the north, east and northeast the limits of the area are marked by the mountainous area of Rakick. Devoll river runs through the surveyed territory dividing area B from C. To the north, the survey stopped at the narrowest point of the Cangonjit Pass, which is a natural boundary between Devoll Valley and Kor Basin. The teams, both composed of five field walkers, one team leader and one GPS data collector, were distinguished by the different size of the area covered, which was mainly due to the differences in the topography of areas B and C. While area B is uniformly characterized by an alluvial plain with mainly recent alluvial sediments, area C comprises territories with more varied topography and soils. Particularly the southeastern part of this area is made of several topographical units such as Goricat e Trenit hills, the hill of Gabros, Pavliqet terraces and intermediate fields. Only the northwestern end of area C is very similar in soil types and topography with area B. Differences in topography and soil types between areas B and C are also reflected in the type of vegetation observed, patterns of land use and visibility. As many as 15 new sites were identified in the course of the 2006 fieldwork (fig. 2):

Figure 2 Map of the surveyed area with location of sites

Site S011. It extends in tracts A-118; B-019 B-020; B-021. Is an early Neolithic open-air settlement site with an important cultural component of the early Iron Age. Is identified many years ago on the left bank of river Devoll, opposite the Gorica e Vogl hill and has been subject of a brief campaign of excavations by an Albanian-Greek team in the autumn of 2001. Even if the results of the excavations here are not published yet, we have been able to inspect some of the finds stored in the Kora museum. The information collected during excavation confirms most of the data gathered in our survey. During the survey it has become clear that the site extends on the right bank of the river (tract A-118). The probable migration of the river bed has cut trough the site and for this reason many finds are collected downstream on both sides of the Devoll river (tracts B-133, B-134, B-135, B-137 and C-007). Other than the early Neolithic and the early Iron Age, tract B-021 has provided some Medieval sherds which represent another historical period in the occupation of the site. Site S012. Tracts C-014; C-015; C-022. The site is located on the southeastern side of the Gorica e Madhe hill. Large quantities of material are found on these tracts, mostly pottery sherds, but also several small finds and fragments of large vessels and tiles. All indications show a homogeneous material culture from all tracts, and most of the material could be dated to the late Roman period. Based on the structure of the material found, this site could represent a settlement site, probably a Roman villa. Site S013. Tract C-023. This is a relatively large area included in a single tract covering the greatest of the range of hills known locally as Goricat e Trenit (Gorica e Madhe). Concentrations of pottery are found on all sides of the hill, which has a regular semispherical shape and visible remains of modern terraces. The main cultural component is represented by the late Roman pottery and pithoi fragments. Prehistoric material of the Eneolithic/Bronze Age are also identified, even if in only two examples. On the upper part of the hill are located several remains of terracing walls of uncertain date. Site S014. Tracts C-026; C-027; C-028; C-029; C-042. The site is located on the northwestern side of the range of hills known locally as Goricat e Trenit, between Gorica e Madhe and Gorica e Mesme. The area of this site is not clearly distinguished from those of sites S-012 and S-013 even if topographically they represent slopes facing in different directions. Again, the main chronological component here is that of the late Roman period. Prehistoric pottery however is found more frequently than in sites S-012 and S-013. Particularly tracts C-027 and C-028 have provided several sherds that can be dated to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Probably a small settlement site. Site S015. Tracts C-043; C-044; C-045; C-046; C-047. Particularly large site located between Gorica e Madhe, Gabros hill and the Devoll river. From almost all of the sites are collected large quantities of prehistoric pottery (particularly from tracts C-043 and C-045). Most of the prehistoric pottery is datable to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Other cultural components include Roman and Modern periods. All the area of the site and its immediate extension is terraced during the period of the collective farm system. Large, open-air settlement site. Site S016. Tracts C-084; C-085; partly tracts C-079 and C-121. The site is located at the bottom of the mountainous range of Rakick, to the northeast of Gorica e Madhe. The wider area around the site is known locally as Kisha e Trenit. This old terrace, transformed by colluvial activity has provided a substantial concentration of pottery sherds. Only few of these sherds belong to the Neolithic; the majority however can be dated to the Bronze Age. The site represents probably an open-air settlement. Site S017. Tract C-278. This site represents a small area located in the southern entrance to the

Manurisht village, on the western side of the road from Progr. The intensity of finds, even if not particularly high, distinguishes this restricted area from the rest of the fields between Progr and Manurisht villages, where not much is found. Only one sherd is positively identified as Eneolithic. Most of the other sherds are dated to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Several other finds are modern ceramics. Probably a small settlement? Site S018. Tract B-403. This site is located in the fields to the northwest of Cangonj village, near the main highway Kor-Bilisht. Very large concentration of modern bricks and tiles within the tract. The site represents a complex of buildings of the former collective farm which after 1990s came out of use, was abandoned and demolished in the course of the last ten years. Site S019. Tracts B-268; B-269. The site, known locally as the SMT site, is located near the left bank of Devoll river, in front of the bridge that crosses the river on the way to Progr. The tracts contain large concentrations of modern bricks and tiles created as the result of abandonment and slow demolition of a complex of buildings where the agricultural machinery of the former collective farm were stored and maintained. With the collapse of the collective farm system after the1990s these structures came out of use and abandoned. Site S020. Tract B-299. The site is to the west of S019, on the other side of the road to Progr, near the Devoll river. Within the tract are found large quantities of modern bricks and tiles. Until 1990s here has been the site of several buildings of the collective farm which were abandoned and gradually demolished during the last 15 years. Site S021. Tract C-214. This is a single tract, but represents a larger area where are erected several storage buildings during the years of the former collective farm. As in all other similar sites, most of the artifacts include modern bricks and tiles. Several buildings still exist, but are not well kept and the finds from this site may come from the abandonment of another smaller structure. Site S022. Tract A-102. The site is located to the east of place where Vntrok channel connects with the Devoll river. There is a large concentration of modern tiles as well as fragments of fired clay. The landlord tells the team that he has used this area to prepare and fire roof tiles (qeramithar) during the period from 1992 to 2000. After 2000 the competition of the imported tiles and other cheaper material used for roof covering had caused the failure of the production activity. Site S023. Tracts A-166; A-172; A-173. Located to the west of the hill-top site of Vntrok, this site is represented by large concentrations of modern bricks and tiles as well as remains of stone walls and individual stone blocks. During the period when the collective farm was up and running, at this site were built several simple buildings for housing of sheep, goat and caws. Following the collapse of the collective farm system after the 1990s, these buildings went out of use, abandoned and progressively destroyed. Site S024. Tract A-151. This is another site where buildings of the former collective farm once existed. On the surface were identified large quantities of modern bricks, tiles and other building material. A number of pottery sherds of the Medieval period were also found representing another important cultural component of the site. Is located very near, on the southern side of site S002. Site S025. Tract B-390. Located very close to site S018, to the north of it. During the survey are identified large concentrations of modern bricks and tiles. The information gathered locally refers to this site as a former qeramithar structure (place where bricks and tiles were once produced on small scale). Fieldwork of 2006 Team B The members of this team were alternatively led by Surja Lela and Esmeralda Agolli. One of the components of the group was dedicated to the GPS data collection for each tract, while the rest of the team did field walking. During 20 days of fieldwork of the season Team B surveyed 575 tracts and a total area of 6.4 km2. Whenever possible, tracts were kept as similar in size as possible, around 1.11 ha. Area B covered by this team is confined by some very clear boundaries: Devoll river and the main highway Kor-Bilisht. The work of the team started to the southeast of Area B at the point where the highway crosses the river and ended to the northwest where the river almost meets again the highway, at the Cangonj pass. Area B is typically a lowland, part of the flat valley of Devoll. It can be characterized as a very fertile area with quite deep, relatively young deposits, and very well irrigated with a carefully planned system of channels. For these reasons area B is very suitable for agricultural cultivation and the main vegetation at the time of survey include several kind of fruits (apple, plums, vine), vegetables, grain, maize, animal fodder. Because of the intensive land use, the visibility throughout the area varied from as low as 20% to as high as 95%, but the average value was calculated between 50 and 65% (fig. 3). This is a rather high average visibility, mostly due to the right time of the

year during which the fieldwork is planned, but is its variability from field to field that affects the identification of artifacts.

Figure 3 Visibility in the surveyed area

Figure 3 Visibility in the surveyed area

Generally area B was characterized by a low density of finds (fig. 4). In fact, almost 24% of the tracts here (129 in total) produced no artifacts at all, while the rest of them had very low numbers of pottery or other finds. Exceptions make three specific areas of zone B, all of them with remains of buildings such as collective farms of the Communist Period: the first corresponds to tract B-403 which has been named S018; the second is to be located around tracts B-268 and B-269, and has been named as S019; the third major concentration of tiles was identified in tract B-390 to the northeast of Cangonj village, and has been named as S025.

Figure 4 Pottery density in the surveyed area

Figure 4 Pottery density in the surveyed area

The most interesting concentration of finds, however, comes from a fourth area within zone B. It is located around the previously known site of Progr (tracts B-019, B-020, and B-021), but also along the Devoll river bed to the northeast (tracts B-133, B-134, B-135 and B-137). The pottery here is not only more numerous than anywhere else in zone B, but also represents several important cultural components, where Early Neolithic, Middle Neolithic (fig. 5)

Figure 5Distribution map of Neolithic pottery

Figure 5Distribution map of Neolithic pottery

and Iron Age are the most important (fig. 6). After a long chronological gap, there is also trace of a Medieval re-occupation (fig. 7). This area has been named as S011.

Figure 6Distribution map of Iron Age pottery

Figure 6Distribution map of Iron Age pottery

Figure 7Distribution map of Medieval pottery

Figure 7Distribution map of Medieval pottery

Most of the pottery out of these four areas of significant concentrations was scarce in number and mainly of late Ottoman (fig. 8) to early Modern date (fig. 9).

Figure 8Distribution map of Post-Medieval pottery and tiles

Figure 8Distribution map of Post-Medieval pottery and tiles

Figure 9Distribution map of Modern pottery and tiles

Figure 9Distribution map of Modern pottery and tiles

Team C The members of this team were led by Lorenc Bejko, who also trained and supervised the leadership of Valbona Hysa, Klodiana Kondo, and Helena Tomas. One of the components of the group was dedicated to the GPS data collection for each tract, while the rest of the team did field walking. Team C covered an area of about 4.3 km2 divided into 335 tracts (for an average of 1.28 ha per tract). In this

case also the density of finds was low, since 26.5% of the tracts (89 in total) had no finds (fig. 4). Area C was more varied in topography and vegetation compared to both area B and A of last year. It extended to the east of the Devoll valley, almost parallel to area B and was practically a continuation of the territory surveyed last year. Villages of Progr and Manurisht were both included within survey area C, which to its southeastern end was characterized by a number of hills, terraces and deep ravines. The range of Gorica hills (the Small, the Medium and the Big Gorica), Gabro mountain, the highland of Pavliqe, all located to the southeastern half of area C, were also the most interesting part of the surveyed territory of team C, because of the numerous concentration of finds identified here. Vegetation and visibility within area C varied considerably, factor which had a direct effect of the quality of the data collected. The northeastern half of area C, mostly a fertile lowland (alluvial plain) around the villages of Progr and Manurisht, was very systematically cultivated with apple trees, but also with maize, animal fodder and vegetables. The average visibility here did not exceed 30%. The more hilly area in the southeastern half of zone C was less cultivated, even if well terraced, and consequently produced higher visibility values (around 55%, with the minimum value going as low as 10% and the maximum ones as high as 90%) (fig. 3). It is this part of the area C that produced the most of the archaeological artifacts and four of the six sites identified this season in area C. The most important concentration of artifacts was located around the Greater Gorica hill. Several tracts here such as C-014, C-015, C-022, C-023, C-026, C027, C-028, and C-029 (S012, S013, and S014) have produced not only high densities, but also several cultural components (Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze Age, early Iron Age, Roman) (figs. 10-11).

Figure 10Distribution map of Bronze Age pottery

Figure 10Distribution map of Bronze Age pottery

Figure 11Distribution map of Roman pottery

Figure 11Distribution map of Roman pottery

The area to the westnorthwest of the Gorica e Madhe is also of great interest because of high densities of prehistoric pottery. A more detailed analysis of the artifacts here will establish not only the number, but also the nature and function of these sites which seem to represent several farmsteads, clustered around a prehistoric site (S015). Another area of interest is represented by tracts C-084, C-085 (S016), to the northeast of Gorica e Madhe. These tracts have provided substantial quantities of prehistoric pottery, which, being located in a colluvial cone, might represent material washed down-slope from the Mali i Osojs. These preliminary data require more intensive investigation in order to establish their chronological evaluation. Near the village of Manurisht, in tract C-278, another prehistoric site (S017) dated to the Bronze and Iron Age was located, while in tract C-214 a large concentration of modern tiles and bricks speaks for one more destroyed collective farm of the Communist period (S021) (fig. 12).

Figure 12Distribution map of tiles and bricks

Figure 12Distribution map of tiles and bricks

Site collection An important component of the fieldwork this season was the intensive investigation of several sites identified in the course of last season. Through a systematic site-collection methodology were investigated sites S003, S004, S005, S006 and S007, all around the tip of the Prespa e Vogl lake. A large body of material was collected from these five sites which showed a wide chronological span: from the Eneolithic (S007) to the post-Medieval period (S004).

Figure 13Distribution map of small finds

Figure 13Distribution map of small finds

Museum operation A large museum operation was set up during this season. The large body of material and data was managed in such a way that provided feed-back for the survey teams as well as made possible the preliminary analyses of the artifacts. Cleaning, processing, and conservation of pottery and small finds were the main objectives of the museum staff. More than 700 fragments of pottery and 67 small finds were described and recorded respectively by Maria Grazia Amore and Klodiana Kondo. Skender Aliu provided advice on datings. All of the information was entered in a comprehensive electronic database and a large number of artifacts were drawn by Florenc Cenolli and photographed by Lorenc Bejko. The conservation was carried out by Alma Bardho. Soil study Another important component of fieldwork this season was the study of the environment, soils and geomorphology of the area of the survey. The soils investigation consisted of using a bucket auger to obtain soil samples to at least a 1.5 m depth for soil morphological descriptions. Several traverses were established in the floodplain and terrace sequence to determine the range of soil development and approximate age of the alluvium. Other observations of the soils were made along the eroded banks of the Devoll River. Because of the limited time available this first year, most of the effort was placed on the alluvial areas and only a few observations were made on the upland sites. PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE SOILS AND LANDSCAPES OF THE DEVOLL RIVER VALLEY IN ALBANIA (John E. Foss -University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN) INTRODUCTION

The Devoll River Valley is located approximately 16 km northeast of Korc, Albania. The Devoll valley ranges from 1 km in width in the north to greater than 4 km in the southern part of the valley. The alluvial valley is composed of a wide floodplain and terrace sequences. Based on the initial evaluation of soils in the region, the alluvium in the valley has a wide range of ages from Recent to perhaps Mid Pleistocene. The immediate upland area adjacent to the alluvial valley is dominated by limestone and associated sedimentary rocks. The soils investigation consisted of using a bucket auger to obtain soil samples to at least a 1.5 m depth for soil morphological descriptions. Several traverses were established in the floodplain and terrace sequence to determine the range of soil development and approximate age of the alluvium. Other observations of the soils were made along the eroded banks of the Devoll River. The field work was accomplished from September 21 to 29, 2006. Because of the limited time available this first year, most of the effort was placed on the alluvial areas and only a few observations were made on the upland sites. The objectives of the initial soils investigation were: a. Study the soils and stratigraphy of alluvium in the valley b. Develop the age relationships of major soils and landscapes c. Integrate the soil/landscape data to the archaeological data RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Figure 14 shows an exposure of alluvium in the Devoll River Valley. As noted in the photograph below, several paleosols (or buried soils) are visible in the exposure and represent periods of stability and then sedimentation. The darker colors of the paleosols represent buried surfaces; these surfaces were then buried by alluvium during periods of erosion and sedimentation. Figure 15 is a closer view of the same section with the paleosols indicated on the photograph. Paleosol 1 is thicker than paleosol 2 and probably represents a longer period of development. Tentative dates have not been placed on these paleosols. However, paleosol 3 was very strongly developed with a very clayey and thick argillic horizon. Thus, based on morphologic characteristics, paleosol 3 is at least 50,000 years in age.

Figure 14Photograph of alluvial sequences near bridge approximately 4 km northwest of Bilisht, Albania

Figure 15Photograph of soil profile in alluvial cut about 4 km northwest of Bilisht, Albania. Three paleosols were noted at this location. The geology hammer was located at the 3-meter depth.

Table 1 gives the descriptions of profiles in the flood plain and terrace positions in the Devoll Valley. The profiles generally show two or three discontinuities indicating periods of stability and then deposition of alluvium. Recent alluvium is characteristically forming the upper 50 to 100 cm in the upper portion of the flood plain; in some profiles this deposit may exceed 1 meter. The relatively unweathered Recent alluvium in the central valley is generally brown to yellowish brown (10YR 5/3, 5/4) and is calcareous. Little pedogenic weathering is evident in the Recent alluvium except for organic matter accumulation in the surface and in a few cases a weak and thin Bw horizon has formed. The Recent alluvium ranges in texture from silty clay loam to loamy sand, but the dominant texture is fine or very fine sand in much of the flood plain. The clayey alluvium is generally found along the edge of the alluvial valley. A high water table was evident in a number of soils (e.g. profiles 1-3), and redoxymorphic features (drainage mottles) were noted in numerous soil profiles. Soil development is minimal in the upper part of most soils in the floodplain. Stronger development and older paleosols were present in the cores of certain regions. Profiles 10-12, for example, had a welldeveloped, strong argillic, and reddish brown paleosol at depths greater than 70 cm. The high terrace described in profile 15 had a well-developed argillic horizon and with the preliminary observation this soil/landscape would be at least 10,000 years in age. Thus, the valley has a wide range of soils and ages of alluvium but the upper Recent sediments mask the older alluvial soils and would require excavation to reach more ancient soils and landscapes. The older terrace surface (> 10,000 years) on the west side of the valley would have artifacts from a variety of ages. Table 1. Report 2005 | Report 2006 | Report 2007 ______________________________________________________________________ _
[1](Participants in the project include: Sknder Aliu (Archaeological Museum of Kora-Institute of Archaeology), Maria Grazia Amore (Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit) project co-director, Lorenc Bejko (Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit) project director, Esmeralda Agolli (Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit), Alma Bardho (conservation, Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit), Florenc Cenolli (draftsman, Archaeological Museum of Kora-Institute of Archaeology), Matija Dronji (University of Zagreb), Dalibor Dujmi (University of Zagreb), John Foss (soil scientist, University of Tennessee), Elis Golemi (University of Tirana), Rahman Hasa

(University of Elbasan), Valbona Hysa (Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit), Klodiana Kondo (Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit), Davor Kristijan (University of Zagreb), Surja Lela (Institute of Archaeology), Elvis Lolo (University of Tirana), Sonila Metaj (University of Tirana), Ranko Paun (University of Zagreb), Genti Przhita (Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit), Helena Tomas (coordinator of the University of Zagreb group), Ivan Viden (University of Zagreb), Rovena Vogli (University of Tirana).

[2](We are thankful to Packard Humanities Institute for funding the project, as well as to Professors Richard
Hodges and Muzafer Korkuti for their encouragement and support. The group from the University of Zagreb benefited from a grant awarded from the Croatian Ministry of Sciences and Education.)