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The Early Byzantine Circular Forum in Dyrrachium (Durrës, Albania) in 2002 and 2004–2005: Recent Recording and Excavation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2011

Afrim Hoti ,
John Wilkes ,
Elvana Metalla  and
Brikena Shkodra
Afrim Hoti
Affiliation:
Archaeological Museum, Durrës
John Wilkes
Affiliation:
University College London/Wolfson College, Oxford
Elvana Metalla
Affiliation:
Archaeological Museum, Durrës
Brikena Shkodra
Affiliation:
Archaeological Museum, Durrës
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Abstract

Excavations a decade ago in the centre of the city of Durrës (ancient Dyrrachium) in Albania revealed an extensive complex of concentric structures of the Late Roman and Early Byzantine eras. Initially identified as a market complex (macellum) of a type known in numerous Roman cities, it also became apparent that the circular paved area 40 m diameter within a colonnade at the centre represented a space intended for more formal activities and was most likely a Forum comparable with the Curved Forum at Constantinople. A central focus of the area was a rotunda c.5.75 m diameter that may have supported monumental statuary or possible a column. In 2001 a record was made of the architectural remains and in 2004 and 2005 two unfinished trenches adjacent to the Rotunda were enlarged and completed. The dating evidence recovered from beneath the level of the Forum paving indicated a construction date around the end of the sixth century, making it likely that it was one of the embellishments conferred on his native city by the emperor Anastasius (491-518).

Οι προ δεκαετίας ανασκαφές στο κέντρο της πόλης του Δυρραχίου στην Αλβανία αποκάλυψε ένα εκτεταμένο συγκρότημα κυκλικών κατασκευών των Ύστερων πωμαϊκών και των ∏ρώιμων Βυζαντινών χρόνων. Μολονότι εξ' αρχής το συγκρότημα χαρακτηρίστηκε ως αγορά (macellimi), ο τύπος της οποίας συναντάται σε πολλές Ρωμαϊκές πόλεις, έγινε επίσης φανερό, ότι ο πλαισιωμένος με περιστύλιο κυκλικός πλακόστρωτος χώρος διαμέτρου 40 μ αντιπροσώπευε στο κέντρο του ένα χώρο, ο οποίος προοριζόταν περισσότερο για επίσημες δραστηριότητες, ταυτιζόμενος κατά πάσα πιθανότητα με αγορά (Forum), εάν συγκριθεί με την Κυρτή Αγορά της Κωνσταντινούπολης. Το επίκεντρο του χώρου ήταν μία ροτόντα με διάμειρο 5·75 μ κατά προσέγγιση, η οποία ίσως να στήριζε ένα μνημειακό σύμπλεγμα αγαλμάτων ή πιθανώς έναν κίονα. Το έτος 2001 δημιουργήθηκε ένα αρχείο για τα αρχιτεκτονικά κατάλοιπα και κατά τα έτη 2004 και 2005 δύο μη ολοκληρωμένες ανασκαφικές τομές, παρακείμενες της ροτόντας, επεκτάθηκαν και ανεσκάφησαν πλήρως. Τα δεδομένα χρονολόγησης, που συλλέχθηκαν κάτω από το επίπεδο του πλακόστρωτου της αγοράς τοποθετούν την οικοδόμησή της περί τα τέλη του 60υ αι. μ.Χ., συνηγορώντας προς την άποψη, ότι πιθανώς πρόκειται για ένα από τα αφιερώματα, που πρόσφερε στη γενέτειρά του, ο Αυτοκράτωρ Αναστάσιος (491–518 μ.Χ.).

Type
Articles
Information
Annual of the British School at Athens , Volume 103 , November 2008 , pp. 367 - 397
Copyright
Copyright © The Council, British School at Athens 2008

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