The Palaeolithic and Mesolithic of Albania

Survey and Excavation at the Site of Kryegjata B (Fier District)

Authors

  • Curtis Runnels University of Boston
  • Muzafer Korkuti Insituti i Arkeologjse, Tirana
  • Michael L. Galaty Millsaps College
  • Michael E. Timpson Natural Resource Group Inc.
  • John C. Whittaker Grinnell College
  • Sharon R. Stocker University of Cincinnati
  • Jack L. Davis University of Cincinnati
  • Lorenc Bejko Qendra Nderkombetare per Arkeologjine
  • Skender Mucaj Instituti i Arkeologjise, Tirana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jmea.17.1.3.53480

Keywords:

Balkans, Palaeolithic and Mesolithic open-air sites, 'Kryegjata B'

Abstract

In the Balkans archaeologists until recently have neglected Pleistocene and early Holocene remains in open-air contexts in favor of excavations in caves. As a consequence, they have reconstructed patterns of settlement and land use that in many areas are misleading. The authors of this paper suggest that a systematic examination of Palaeolithic and Mesolithic open-air sites through intensive surface survey has the potential to transform entirely our understanding of early Balkan prehistory. We demonstrate this by presenting in detail the results of our own fieldwork in central Albania in the region of Mallakastra, in particular a description of surface archaeological investigations and test excavations at the site of Kryegjata B that have yielded Middle Palaeolithic, Early Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic finds.

Author Biographies

  • Curtis Runnels, University of Boston
    Department of Archaeology Boston University Boston, MA 02215 USA
  • Muzafer Korkuti, Insituti i Arkeologjse, Tirana
    Instituti i Arkeologjse Bulevardi 'Deshmoret et Kombit' Nene Tereza Tirana Albania
  • Michael L. Galaty, Millsaps College
    Department of Sociology-Anthropology Millsaps College Jackson, MS 39210 USA
  • Michael E. Timpson, Natural Resource Group Inc.
    Natural Resource Group Inc. Providence Office Suite 2020 One Financial Plaza Providence, RI 02903 USA
  • John C. Whittaker, Grinnell College
    Department of Anthropology Grinnell College Grinnell, IA 50112 USA
  • Sharon R. Stocker, University of Cincinnati
    Department of Classics University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 45221 USA
  • Jack L. Davis, University of Cincinnati
    Department of Classics University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH 45221 USA
  • Lorenc Bejko, Qendra Nderkombetare per Arkeologjine
    Qendra Nderkombetare per Arkeologjine Shqiptare Rruga Lek Dukagjini 9 Tirana Albania
  • Skender Mucaj, Instituti i Arkeologjise, Tirana
    Instituti i Arkeologjse Bulevardi 'Deshmoret et Kombit' Nene Tereza Tirana Albania

Published

2007-01-27

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Runnels, C., Korkuti, M., Galaty, M. L., Timpson, M. E., Whittaker, J. C., Stocker, S. R., Davis, J. L., Bejko, L., & Mucaj, S. (2007). The Palaeolithic and Mesolithic of Albania: Survey and Excavation at the Site of Kryegjata B (Fier District). Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology, 17(1), 3-30. https://doi.org/10.1558/jmea.17.1.3.53480

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>