 Modern Durrës, the ancient Corinthian colony of Epidamnus and later the Roman port of Dyrrhachium is undoubtedly the most important archaeological site in Albania. Its antiquity was well understood in Ottoman times, drawing amongst others Arthur Evans to study the town. In the modern era there have been surprisingly few excavations, although the city museum has assembled a huge collection of finds – including major pieces of sculpture – from salvage excavations. Perhaps the two most notable discoveries have been the Archaic and later Hellenistic cemetery (with associated inscriptions) from the ‘acropolis’ above the present city, and the remarkable Trajanic amphitheatre, discovered after deep excavations in 1966.
Ancient Durrës, like many cities along the Adriatic Sea, evolved around a lagoon, a safe harbourage. It seems likely that the lagoon was originally entered from the north, from Porta Romana bay. The nucleus of the Greek colony probably resided around the lagoon side, with its cemetery extending up the steep hill behind it. The great Roman port – the starting-point of the Via Egnatia – is situated further south, occupying a prominent point on the water’s edge. The town, it appears, has been concentrated here ever since, only recently expanding inland to cover the southern half of the now dried-up lagoon.
The ICAA set out to understand this topographic evolution in the face of prodigious urban development. An academic seminar in July 2001 was followed by a public workshop in February 2002 to measure the impact of the development and formulate an appropriate response from the archaeological community. These events effectively launched a campaign of excavations in the Roman city, concentrating upon understanding the best-known landmarks: the defences, the circular macellum/forum and the amphitheatre. After these excavations, efforts became focused upon establishing the chora (territory) of the Greek colony and the sanctuaries and settlement history around the lagoon. In partnership with the city museum and Italian archaeological teams, the ICAA is working to reconstruct the complex history of this great Adriatic centre.
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