New archaeological discoveries in Durrës

2024-05-09 19:39:10, Kulturë CNA

Archaeologists brought new mosaics and frescoes to light during excavations on the territory of a school, which was damaged by the 2019 earthquake in Durrës and was being rebuilt.

According to the archaeologist Luan Përzhita, who leads the mission, the excavations have revealed traces of an indoor swimming pool of a villa from the Roman period, the first of its kind discovered by archaeological excavations in Albania.

According to Mr. Perzhita, the pool is decorated on its entire surface with colorful frescoes of a high artistic level.

"The uniqueness of this structure, according to archaeologist Përzhita, lies in its floor laid with a very well-preserved mosaic, with geometric motifs, made with marble, stone, glass and ceramic tesserae", says archaeologist Përzhita.

He adds that "near the pool, a hydraulic monument consisting of two shallow tubs covered with waterproofing mortar was discovered, and in the northern part of the excavation site, a large brick floor was discovered, which may be the floor of a thermae, taking into account comparisons with similar constructions of the period in the Mediterranean".

According to the archaeologist, several lines of walls related to the architectural complex discovered in this sector have also been identified.

"The considerable height of their preservation allows us to imply that this monument may have been built with two floors", said archaeologist Përzhita.

According to him, the discoveries in the western part are of great interest, where fragments of the decoration of the walls and ceilings of the villa, made with stucco with various motifs, anthropomorphic and floral, where traces of frescoes are not missing, are highlighted.

The archaeological excavations in this area cover an area of ??1200 m2 and at this stage have given a special panorama of the urban organism of the area, promising new findings.

Some time ago, a residence paved with mosaics with floral motifs was discovered in this area, which blocked the continuation of the work on the foundations of the new school that was being built, the protection of the area and the beginning of the archaeological mission.

Archaeologists believe that they have to do with a part of the city where the elite layers of society lived, and during the excavations, other archaeological objects such as vessels, a statue and figurines were found.

According to archaeologists, the archaeological finds belong to the 1st-4th centuries AD with the culmination of the development of an elite residence in the 1st-2nd centuries AD which was located under the foundations where the school was built that was destroyed by the earthquake that hit Durrës in 2019.

Archaeologists believe that the elite residence was also destroyed by the earthquake of the 4th century CE, which is mentioned in ancient sources./ VOA