Archaeological Traces from the Air in the Durrës Region (Albania): Kullë, Bashtova, and the Via Egnatia Corridor
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30546/679523.2.2026.003.080Keywords:
Aerial archaeology, Infrared imaging, Remote sensing, GIS, Albania, Erzen River corridorAbstract
This article presents a non-invasive archaeological approach based on historical aerial photography, satellite imagery, and infrared (IR) data to detect and assess archaeological traces in the Durrës region of Albania. The main focus is the Kullë area along the Erzen River corridor, where multi-temporal analysis reveals a coherent set of morphological, crop-, soil-, and moisture-related anomalies that are potentially associated with buried structures and planned spatial organisation. The most significant evidence includes an elliptical imprint measuring approximately 130 × 75 m, with an estimated arena of c. 60 × 40 m, which is cautiously interpreted as an amphitheatre-compatible signature. Additional traces suggest the possible presence of a monumental cultic building consistent with a pseudodipteral plan, as well as a c. 200 × 200 m quadrangular sector interpreted as a structured functional area, possibly comparable to horrea-type storage facilities or to a castrum-like installation. IR processing is used to enhance trace visibility and to reduce interpretive ambiguity caused by agronomic variability, hydrological disturbance, and modern landscape transformation. The study also considers weaker indicators, including a possible theatre-like trace in the hills of Kullë and low-contrast anomalies near the mouth of the Erzen River, all of which are treated as testable hypotheses rather than definitive identifications. A secondary case study, Bashtova and its connection to the Via Egnatia corridor, demonstrates the method’s transferability for reconstructing routes and enhancing territorial connectivity. The article concludes by defining priorities for field survey, geophysical prospection, and targeted ground validation.
References
Adak, M. (2023). Cities, kings and Romans: New epigraphic texts from Asia Minor [Cités, rois et Romains: Nouveaux textes épigraphiques d’Asie Mineure]. Annuaire de l’École pratique des hautes études (EPHE), Section des sciences historiques et philologiques, 154, 136–145. https://doi.org/10.4000/ashp.6065
Agapiou, A., & Gravanis, E. (2024). A machine-learning-assisted classification algorithm for archaeological cropmark detection using spectroradiometric data. Remote Sensing, 16(10), Article 1705. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101705
Alders, W., Davis, D. S., & Jong Haines, J. (2024). Archaeology in the fourth dimension: Studying landscapes with multitemporal PlanetScope satellite data. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 31, 1588–1621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-024-09644-x
Appian. (1996). The civil wars (J. Carter, Trans.). Penguin Books.
Bereti, V., Consagra, G., Descoeudres, J.-P., Shpuza, S., & Zindel, C. (2013). Orikos-Oricum: Final report on the Albano-Swiss excavations, 2007–2010. Mediterranean Archaeology, 26, 95–185.
Berger, A. (1953). Encyclopedic dictionary of Roman law. American Philosophical Society.
Brandolini, F., Domingo-Ribas, G., Zerboni, A., & Turner, S. (2021). A Google Earth Engine-enabled Python approach for the identification of anthropogenic palaeo-landscape features (Version 2). Open Research Europe, 1, Article 22. https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.13135.2
Caesar, J. (2016). The Civil War (C. Damon, Ed. & Trans.). Harvard University Press. Loeb Classical Library.
Campana, S. (2017). Drones in archaeology: State-of-the-art and future perspectives. Archaeological Prospection, 24(4), 275–296. https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1569
Campana, S. (2018). Mapping the archaeological continuum: Filling “empty” Mediterranean landscapes. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89572-7
Cassius Dio. (1987). The Roman history: The reign of Augustus (I. Scott-Kilvert, Trans.). Penguin Books.
Chaniotis, A. (2020). Benefactors in Aphrodisias and the socio-cultural limits of philanthropy. In O. Tekin, C. H. Roosevelt, & E. Akyürek (Eds.), Philanthropy in Anatolia through the ages: The first international Suna & İnan Kıraç symposium on Mediterranean civilizations (Antalya, 26–29 March 2019): Proceedings book (pp. 111–120). Koç University Suna & İnan Kıraç Research Center for Mediterranean Civilizations.
Chlepa, E. A. (1999). The architecture of the Roman odeion at Kos. Annual of the British School at Athens, 94, 415–435.
Ciccone, G., Bignami, C., Calantoni, L., Di Ludovico, A., & Sambuelli, L. (2024). Investigating archaeological remains at Stracciacappe, Rome: Comparing traditional sources with UAV-based multispectral, thermal and microtopographic analysis. Drone Systems and Applications, 12(2), 217–237. https://doi.org/10.1139/dsa-2023-0114
Cigna, F., Balz, T., Tapete, D., Caspari, G., Fu, B., Abballe, M., & Jiang, H. (2024). Exploiting satellite SAR for archaeological prospection and heritage site protection. Geo-spatial Information Science, 27(3), 526–551. https://doi.org/10.1080/10095020.2023.2223603
Ciampoltrini, G. (2016). The Roman amphitheatre of Lucca: Chronicles of ordinary protection [L’anfiteatro romano di Lucca: Cronache di ordinaria tutela]. Arbor Sapientiae.
Clarke, J. T., Bacon, F. H., & Koldewey, R. (1902). Investigations at Assos: Drawings and photographs of the buildings and objects discovered during the excavations of 1881–1883. Archaeological Institute of America.
Cuntz, O. (Ed.). (1990). Itineraria Romana: Vol. 1, Itineraria Antonini Augusti et Burdigalense. B. G. Teubner. (Original work published 1929)
Dall’Aglio, P. L. (2011). Ancient topography, geoarchaeology and palaeoenvironmental disciplines [Topografia antica, geoarcheologia e discipline paleoambientali]. Rivista di Topografia Antica, 1, 7–24.
Duka, F. (2009). The Ottoman centuries in Albanian space [Shekujt osmanë në hapësirën shqiptare]. UET Press.
Ducellier, A. (1976). Albania between East and West in the 11th and 12th centuries: Political and economic aspects [L’Albanie entre Orient et Occident aux XIe et XIIe siècles: Aspects politiques et économiques]. Cahiers de civilisation médiévale, 19(73), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3406/ccmed.1976.2026
Ducellier, A. (1981). The maritime façade of Albania in the Middle Ages: Durazzo and Valona from the 11th to the 15th century [La façade maritime de l’Albanie au Moyen Âge: Durazzo et Valona du XIe au XVe siècle]. Institute for Balkan Studies.
Estanqueiro, M., Šalamon, A., Lewis, H., Molloy, B., & Jovanović, D. (2023). Sentinel-2 imagery analyses for archaeological site detection: An application to Late Bronze Age settlements in Serbian Banat, southern Carpathian Basin. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 51, Article 104188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104188
Foss, C. (1975). The Persians in Asia Minor and the end of antiquity. The English Historical Review, 90(357), 721–747.
Gautier, P. (1982). Review of the book The maritime façade of Albania in the Middle Ages: Durazzo and Valona from the 11th to the 15th century, by A. Ducellier [Compte rendu de La façade maritime de l’Albanie au Moyen Âge: Durazzo et Valona du XIe au XVe siècle, by A. Ducellier]. Revue des études byzantines, 40, 249–251.
Gjipali, I. (2005). Survey research on the southern branch of the Via Egnatia [Kërkime sërvei në Degën Jugore të Via Egnatias]. Iliria, 32, 305–321. https://doi.org/10.3406/iliri.2005.1124
Golvin, J.-C. (1988). The Roman amphitheatre: Essay on the theorisation of its form and functions [L’amphithéâtre romain: Essai sur la théorisation de sa forme et de ses fonctions] (2 vols.). Diffusion de Boccard.
Greco, E. (2019). Paestum: Archaeology, urban planning and new research [Paestum: Archeologia, urbanistica e nuove ricerche]. Pandemos.
Gros, P., & Torelli, M. (2007). History of urban planning: The Roman world [Storia dell’urbanistica: Il mondo romano]. Laterza.
Gruben, G. (1980). The temples of the Greeks [Die Tempel der Griechen] (3rd ed.). Hirmer.
Hanson, J. W., & Ortman, S. G. (2017). Urbanization and population in the Roman Empire. Journal of Roman Studies, 107, 147–186.
Harris, C. M. (Ed.). (1983). Illustrated dictionary of historic architecture. Dover Publications.
Hill, A. C., Laugier, E. J., & Casana, J. (2020). Archaeological remote sensing using multi-temporal, drone-acquired thermal and near infrared (NIR) imagery: A case study at the Enfield Shaker Village, New Hampshire. Remote Sensing, 12(4), Article 690. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12040690
Hoepfner, W., & Schwandner, E.-L. (1986). Priene: A Hippodamian urban layout as a total work of art [Priene: Eine hippodamische Stadtanlage als Gesamtkunstwerk]. In W. Hoepfner & E.-L. Schwandner (Eds.), Haus und Stadt im klassischen Griechenland [House and city in classical Greece] (pp. 141–186). Deutscher Kunstverlag.
Horden, P., & Purcell, N. (2006). The Mediterranean and the new thalassology. American Historical Review, 111(3), 722–740.
Humann, C., Kohte, J., & Watzinger, C. (1904). Magnesia on the Maeander: Report on the results of the excavations of the years 1891–1893 [Magnesia am Maeander: Bericht über die Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen der Jahre 1891–1893]. G. Reimer.
Italian Military Geographic Institute [Istituto Geografico Militare]. (n.d.). Geoproducts: Aerial photographic archive (Albania) [Geoprodotti: Archivio fotografico aereo (Albania)]. Retrieved December 20, 2025, from https://www.igmi.org/it/geoprodotti/
Ivetic, E. (2019). History of the Adriatic: A sea and its civilization [Storia dell’Adriatico: Un mare e la sua civiltà]. Il Mulino.
Kadhim, I. J., Mijwil, M. M., Alsaadi, M., & Mutar, M. L. (2023). A critical review of remote sensing approaches and deep learning techniques in archaeological feature detection and extraction. Heritage Science, 11, Article 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-00886-8
Kaimaris, D., Georgoula, O., Patias, P., & Stylianidis, E. (2023). Application of UAS with remote sensing sensors for the detection of archaeological crop marks. Remote Sensing, 15(15), Article 3843. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15153843
Kaimaris, D., Georgoula, O., Patias, P., & Stylianidis, E. (2024). Aerial remote sensing archaeology: A short review and comparative study of image sources. Land, 13(7), Article 997. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070997
Karaiskaj, G. (1973). The fortress of Bashtova [Kështjella e Bashtovës]. Monumentet, 5–6, 139–160.
Kocillari, J. (2016). The eastern Adriatic, the sea of a people: Illyrians, Durazzo and Apollonia [L’Adriatico orientale, il mare di un popolo: Illiri, Durazzo e Apollonia]. In R. Kocillari (Ed.), Ceramica a figure rosse in Albania: Produzioni e importazioni / Red-figure pottery in Albania: Productions and imports (pp. 105–116). Epxon Vision.
Kocillari, J. (2025). The discovery of Albania’s second amphitheatre: Scientific challenges and the potential of cultural tourism [Zbulimi i amfiteatrit të dytë në Shqipëri: Sfida shkencore dhe potenciali i turizmit kulturor]. In Book of proceedings: 12th International Conference “Scientific Challenges for Sustainable Development” – SCfSD ’25 (pp. 383–393). International University of Struga. https://iust.edu.mk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Libri-i-Konferences-2025.pdf
Landauer, J., Maddison, S., Fontana, G., & Posluschny, A. G. (2025). Archaeological site detection: Deep learning-based hillfort identification in Europe. Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology, 8(1), 42–58. https://doi.org/10.5334/jcaa.178
Laurence, R., Esmonde Cleary, S., & Sears, G. (2011). The city in the Roman West, c. 250 BC–AD 250. Cambridge University Press.
Lawrence, A. W., & Tomlinson, R. A. (1996). Greek architecture (5th ed.). Yale University Press.
Lindsay, I., & Mkrtchyan, A. (2023). Free and low-cost aerial remote sensing in archaeology: An overview of data sources and recent applications in the South Caucasus. Advances in Archaeological Practice, 11(2), 136–151. https://doi.org/10.1017/aap.2023.2
Luo, L., Zong, X., Shao, J., Wang, X., & Guo, H. (2023). LiDARchaeology: A revolutionary approach to archaeological prospection in forested areas. The Innovation Geoscience, 1(2), Article 100017. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-geo.2023.100017
Malltezi, A. (2014). French influence and commercial relations between Albania and France from a historical perspective [L’influence française et les rapports commerciaux entre l’Albanie et la France dans une perspective historique]. Revue internationale de droit comparé, 66(3), 817–842. https://doi.org/10.3406/ridc.2014.20422
Masini, N., Marzo, C., Manzari, P., Belmonte, A., Sabia, C., & Lasaponara, R. (2018). On the characterization of temporal and spatial patterns of archaeological crop-marks. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 32, 124–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2017.12.009
Materazzi, F., & Pacifici, M. (2022). Archaeological crop marks detection through drone multispectral remote sensing and vegetation indices: A new approach tested on the Italian pre-Roman city of Veii. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 41, Article 103235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103235
Materazzi, F., Pacifici, M., Allevi, G., Del Frate, F., & Manacorda, D. (2025). Sowing, monitoring, detecting: A possible solution to improve cropmark detection in buried archaeological structures through remote sensing on the Vignale plateau. Journal of Imaging, 11(3), Article 71. https://doi.org/10.3390/jimaging11030071
Mercator, G. (1589). Macedonia, Epirvs et Achaia [Map]. Universitätsbibliothek Bern, e-rara (MUE Ryh 6509:1). https://doi.org/10.3931/e-rara-129116
Mercator, G., & Hondius, J. (1630). Macedonia, Epirvs et Achaia [Map]. Universitätsbibliothek Bern, e-rara (MUE Ryh 6509:2). https://doi.org/10.3931/e-rara-129572
Myrto, H. (1982). Map of the ancient and medieval monuments and traces of the district of Durrës (continuation) [Hartë e monumenteve dhe e gjurmëve antike e mesjetare të rrethit të Durrësit (vazhdim)]. Monumentet, 1, 11–40.
Myrto, H. (1984). Dy varëse bronzi të kohës së Hekurit / Deux pendentifs de bronze de l’âge de Fer [Two bronze pendants from the Iron Age]. Iliria, 14(2), 59–60. https://doi.org/10.3406/iliri.1984.1324
Opitz, R., & Cowley, D. C. (Eds.). (2013). Interpreting archaeological topography: 3D data, visualisation and observation. Oxbow Books.
Pliny the Elder. (1991). Natural history: A selection (J. F. Healy, Trans.). Penguin Books.
Poggi, G., Yaseen, A., Jaturapitpornchai, R., Ferro, S., Sech, G., Naylor, P., Salvi, M. C., Vascon, S., Le Saux, B., Fiorucci, M., & Traviglia, A. (2025). Multitemporal multispectral dataset for palaeochannels segmentation (MAPS). IEEE Access, 13, 203113–203124. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3626678
Popović, V. (1984). Byzantines, Slavs and autochthons in the provinces of Praevalitana and New Epirus [Byzantins, Slaves et autochtones dans les provinces de Prévalitane et Nouvelle Épire]. In Villes et peuplement dans l’Illyricum protobyzantin: Actes du colloque de Rome (12–14 mai 1982) (pp. 181–243). École Française de Rome. (Publications de l’École française de Rome, 77).
Previato, C., Monego, M., Menin, A., & Achilli, V. (2022). A multi-scalar approach for the study of ancient architecture: Structure for Motion, laser scanning and direct survey of the Roman theatre of Nora (Cagliari, Sardinia). Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 43, Article 103440.
Ratté, C., Howe, T. N., & Foss, C. (1986). An early imperial pseudodipteral temple at Sardis. American Journal of Archaeology, 90(1), 45–68.
Ronchi, D., Limongiello, M., Demetrescu, E., & Ferdani, D. (2023). Multispectral UAV data and GPR survey for archaeological anomaly supporting 3D reconstruction. Sensors, 23(5), Article 2769. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23052769
Santoro, S. (2008). Epidamnos, Dyrrachium, Dyrrachion: Urban and cultural transformations of a port between East and West [Epidamnos, Dyrrachium, Dyrrachion: Trasformazioni urbanistiche e culturali di un porto fra l’Oriente e Occidente]. Bollettino di Archeologia OnLine, 23–36.
Santoro, V., Chiabrando, F., Lingua, A., & Spanò, A. (2024). Investigations of non-visible features in archaeological sites: Testing aerial remote sensing with UAV in Pompeii. Virtual Archaeology Review, 15(31), 54–69. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2024.24163
Saraçi, G. (1987). The hidden fortress of Skanderbeg near the village of Daulë, district of Kruja [Kalaja e fshehtë e Skënderbeut pranë fshatit Daulë (rrethi i Krujës) / La forteresse cachée de Scanderbeg près du village de Daulë (district de Kruja)]. Iliria, 17(1), 203–220. https://doi.org/10.3406/iliri.1987.1434
Sear, F. (2006). Roman theatres: An architectural study. Oxford University Press.
Sherwin-White, A. N. (1973). The Roman citizenship (2nd ed.). Clarendon Press.
Shehi, E. (2017). A reassessment of the topography of ancient Durrës in light of new archaeological and historical data [Rishikim mbi topografinë e Durrësit antik në dritën e të dhënave të reja arkeologjiko-historike]. Iliria, 41, 71–131.
Shpuza, S. (2009). Aspects of ancient Illyrian and Epirotic economy [Aspekte të ekonomisë antike ilire dhe epirote]. Iliria, 34, 91–110. https://doi.org/10.3406/iliri.2009.1083
Storchi, P. (2014). Tannetum: Environmental changes, historical considerations and aerial photography for the location of the city and the reconstruction of the territory [Tannetum: Mutamenti ambientali, considerazioni storiche e fotografia aerea per la localizzazione della città e la ricostruzione del territorio]. Agri Centuriati, 1, 61–82.
Storchi, P. (2020). Some considerations on gladiatorial games in the Greek world and the proposed identification of the amphitheatre of the colony of Pella [Alcune considerazioni sui giochi gladiatori nel mondo greco e la proposta dell’identificazione dell’anfiteatro della colonia Pellensis]. Annuario della Scuola Archeologica di Atene e delle Missioni Italiane in Oriente, 373–381.
Storchi, P. (2025). Archaeological history of Reggio Emilia [Storia archeologica di Reggio Emilia]. Compagnia Editoriale Aliberti.
Strabo. (2014). The geography of Strabo (D. W. Roller, Trans.). Cambridge University Press.
Tabula Peutingeriana. (n.d.). [Manuscript map]. Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna, Codex Vindobonensis 324.
Talbert, R. J. A. (2010). Rome’s world: The Peutinger Map reconsidered. Cambridge University Press.
Thallóczy, L., Jireček, C., & Šufflay, M. (Eds.). (1918). Acta et diplomata res Albaniae mediae aetatis illustrantia [Albanian acts and diplomas illustrating the affairs of medieval Albania] (Vol. 2). Typis Adolphi Holzhausen.
Thucydides. (2007). The Peloponnesian War [La guerra del Peloponneso] (L. Canfora, Ed.). Arnaldo Mondadori Editore. (I Classici: Collezione Greci e Latini; original edition published 1996).
Toma, N. (2018). Aphrodisias and the regional marble trade: The scaenae frons of the theatre at Nysa. In D. Matetić Poljak & K. Marasović (Eds.), Interdisciplinary studies on ancient stone: Proceedings of the XI ASMOSIA Conference, Split, 18–22 May 2015 (pp. 513–522). Arts Academy in Split, University of Split; University of Split, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy.
Valentini, G. (Ed.). (1968). Venetian acts of Albania of the 14th and 15th centuries [Acta Albaniae Veneta saeculorum XIV et XV] (Vol. 1). Rudolf Trofenik.
Vergnano, A., de Vingo, P., Rosso, G., Uggè, S., & Comina, C. (2025). Integration of satellite and aerial images with multichannel GPR surveys in the archaeological area of Augusta Bagiennorum for an improved description of the urban setting. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 232, Article 105579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2024.105579
Vinci, G., Vanzani, F., Fontana, A., & Campana, S. (2025). LiDAR applications in archaeology: A systematic review. Archaeological Prospection, 32(1), 81–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1931
Vitruvius. (1999). Ten books on architecture (I. D. Rowland, Trans.; T. N. Howe, Commentary and illustrations; M. J. Dewar, Additional commentary). Cambridge University Press.
Waagen, J., Heijmans, E. D., Scholte, M., Kriek, M. H., & Stissi, V. V. (2025). Drones over excavations: Enhancing the archaeologist’s eyes. An empirical case study into the deployment of UAS remote sensing as a research tool for archaeological excavation in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 61, Article 105114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105114
Zheku, K. (1987). Tabula Imperii Romani K. 34: Naissus, Durrhachion, Scupi, Sardica, Thessalonike [Map of the Roman Empire K. 34: Naissus, Durrhachion, Scupi, Sardica, Thessalonike]. Iliria, 17(2), 269–273.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
