Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development “Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Vol (I), No.1, 2014 ______

RESEARCH ARTICLE

ARCHEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL DATA FOR DYRRACHIONIN DURING THE TRANSITION FROM LATE ANTIQUITY TO THE MIDDLE AGES

AFRIM HOTI “Alxander Moisiu” University, Durrës, Albania Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract The monuments of paleochristian period have an important place in the cultural fund of Dyrrachion city (Δυρράχιον). Studying these monuments in the archaeological sphere becomes even more difficult because of the fact that they inherit some monuments and a definite matter derived from the diggings done only in the Castle and Macellum of the late Antiquity. (Fig.1).Nonetheless, even historical resources for the IV-IX centuries are restricted to offer a hypothetical reconstruction of ancient – medieval Dyrrachion. Even though these are the circumstances, examining some archaeological and historical data on Dyrrachion, there can be noticed a series of features which highlight the trajectory of the economic and cultural growth of the city during the transition period from late antiquity to middle ages (late 4th century – late 9th century). Key words: archaeological, historical, data, late antiquity, middle ages, Dyrrachion city

Ancient late buildings and their survival in the middle The southwest wall of the castle is compound of four Ages. bastions with the same number of vails. In this line there are I.1. Byzantine castles preserved in relatively good conditions four bastions in six From the whole system of fortification, the south-west wall angled shape. (named with the letters: A, B, C, D, E: the in – long 490 meters represents the best preserved line up to our between walls: A- B, B-C,C- D,D- E and E-F; and two times from late antiquity. (Fig.1). entrances: one in the length of the vail A – B and the other The barbaric attacks and the earthquake strikes during the 4th alongside the vail D – E. to 6th century A.C. gravely damaged the protective basis of The bastions have been designed considering the shaft as a Dyrrachion. The city emperor Anastasius I(491 – 518) symmetric axle maintaining the same distance throughout all originated from the senatorial aristocracy had built one of the length of the south-western wall. Thus the distances from the strongest castles of the time for the revival of the city. bastion A to bastion B; from bastion C to bastion D; also The emperor’s investment was found as evidence on the from D to E, maintain the same distance to the module of inscriptions found in the bricks of the southwest wall origin: each 80 m distance away from each other. There is holding the seal “Anastasius the employer”. only one exception from this rule the distance from bastion The walls of the castle were mainly built with bricks and B to C as the shortest distance, approximately 72 meters. mortar, where the thickness of the horizontal space in The bastions which reach a height of 11.00 meters have been between bricks (6 – 8 cm) is larger than that of the bricks, designed and built in two floors, the lower one has served which is estimated up to 4.5 – 5 cm. An approximate just as a warehouse and the upper floor, the so called the calculation of the building materials quantity it results that floor of the loopholes and the pinnacles. The lower and the more or less 15 million bricks, 120 thousand m3 of strong upper floors are connected through wooden stairs. Opposite mortar and approximately 35 thousand m3 of stone for the the pinnacles it is laid the platform which served for the foundations were needed to build the castle. These castle guards movement. The height of the vails is about 9.00 walls built only with bricks and strong mortar mixed with meters, but it is to mentioned that this value is not the initial ceramic pieces are also an evidence of a known technique in height because the cultural depots have obviously raised the the outer wall of also built by the emperor level of the ground. The initial height has also been affected Anastasius I.1 by the damage of the pinnacles, which resulted in its diminishment. If it were that, we may add the part of the pinnacles to this value, then the real value of the vail’s 1 From 60 built works during Anastasius epoch, the castle of Dyrrah height reaches about to 11 meters. The width of the vails is listed alongside the most important military buildings of the moves in between 3.20 – 4.00 meters. From a par calculation Byzantine space: Hrysou(1981). There are also evidenced bricks it results that the average width of the vails it should have with monograms of .( 527-565): which suggests that he has also invested in the reconstruction of the city after the earthquake that took place during his period, year 522: Hoti & Komata ,2006.

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Archeological and historical data … A. Hoti ______been 3.80 m – 4 m. The width deflections observed in The podium’s shape is that of a cylindrical stump with a different points of the platform have been because of the diameter of 5.75 meters and a height, which goes up to 0.90 damages that the fortification system had gone through in m. Its structures, built with uncouth stones and with rough different periods. limy mortar, which are also built over rectangular slab made of concrete; that inside part of the slab holds the inscription of the podium’s stump. It is almost certain that the central block might have served as a plinth to hold a statue (Hoti,1996); because a fragment of a marble statue was found near the podium. (A man’s hand of a natural size holding a cup on its hand) The platform occupies the whole surface from the edge of the podium up to the inner plinth of the retaining wall of the colonnade. Its platform is divided into two concentric sectors: a) the central sector juxtaposed around the podium (with a radius of 3.20 m) most probably paved with mosaics; and b) peripheral sector paved with marble tiles of the preconesian type. Some inscriptions in Greek letters are carved on the surface of some tiles: πΑΤ on one side of the basement (positions number 1 and 13-14), εy (number 22) etc. it is not so clear their meaning but it is obvious that these inscriptions served as outlines for orientations or the numbers served to tell their positions. Meanwhile, in one of the west side tiles it is outlined a circled figure divided in eight radial sectors inside which it is carved the cross and the text of a bilingual inscription (Greek and Latin): ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΝΟΥΒΕΛΛ =κωυσταντίνου του νωυβελ[ισσιμοχ] =(Konstandinu tu nuvell (novelissimu?). Fig.1. Location map of macellum (based on JRA .14.393). It is held that this inscription is related with the cult of the Constantine the Great; a feature encountered mostly during During the early Middle Age centuries, the castle was the late period of the 6thcentury, time when it was greatly submitted to a partial reconstruction and to some repair in commemorated the work of this personality, as a supporter given segments. The fortification system is still with the of Christianity constitution. The portico with a relatively th same dimensions of the 6 century as it is noticed also by large surface has been under clear sky, such a position it the chronicler Ana Komnena.(“Alexsiade”,V, I, 1).(Fig.3). might have also served as a public square. The podium itself I.2. Macellum might have served to hold an imperial statue. The piece of The traces of the Macellum structure were ascertained by the sculpture found in its ruins perhaps it belongs to a statue beginning of the year 1987, during some building actions exposed on the podium platform. taken for the construction of a square behin “Aleksandër Moisiu” Culture Palace.(Fig.2). After the examinations of the preliminary excavations, it was stated that Macellum was built over the ruins of roman terms. It constituted the main compositional code for the evolution of the urban plan of Dyrrachion during palaeochristian period, because it was settled in the main square of the city. Macellum has the main surroundings according to a scheme where all the building structures follow the line of the concentric circles. They start from the podium centre in a circular form, continue with the colonnade and the circular vestibule ending with the circulated wall of the commercial convention. This architectural solution makes us wonder Fig. 2. View of the Macellum, 1990. about the circular form with a diameter of 72 meters and an The porch with the width of 5.30 meters, occupies the whole overall surface of 5000 m2. space of the corridor confined amid the parietal wall of the Circle type colonnades with a diameter of about 40 meters portico and the inside wall of the commercial environments. engirdle the portico. The platform is laid inside the space of The porch has had an organizing role from the functional the colonnade (from which it has been discovered 5/6th of point of view, so that it could have a frontal free the surface which scales up to 1050 m2), paved with marble communication with the portico; on the other hand, it served tiles. The podium is settled in the center of the platform, in to facilitate the traffic in the commercial environment its south-eastern part there is a well and in its south-western groups. part a pit.

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Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development “Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania Vol (I), No.1, 2014 ______The up-to-date records of the excavations show that both the The need for a broad market was an expression of the portico and the porch did not have a cover or a roof, but they increasing of this city's role as a provincial metropolis and were in the open. the capital of the Province of New Epirus7. Having worked Commercial premises lie on the back of the porch, where are as a monumental complex: with an open portico (porch) clearly distinguished the ruins of eight commercial units. (A- where took place even the activities of the province F and A’-B’)2 From them, the foundations structures community; a tradition started since the Theodosian dynasty and few remnants of retaining walls are preserved. Each of onwards, the monument spaces, other than as a trading the premises, with a surface of 20-27 m2, is treated as a place, served as the Forum of Byzantine province.8 This dual separate volume in asymmetrical shape: irregular character of the monument is also faced in some other quadrilateral or trapezoidal. Palaeochristian Macellums of other Byzantine In some of the wall bricks (size: 35x29x5 cm) stand stamps cities.(Claude,1969). with Christian symbols and monograms the same as those The construction of Macellum might have been realized in encountered in the castle of the late antiquity period3. the late fifth century9 and more likely might have been The presence of the counter ruins in areas A and B shows raised during the reign of Anastasius I (491-518); a period that they were destined for the sale of meat and fish. during which this emperor made many investments in his Counters were constructed with bricks built in various ways, native city. The data obtained from the current excavations partly exploiting the internal sites or a corner of the shop4. indicate that this monument has been accessible at all times During the discovery of macellum, there were also of the Late Antiquity, even in the first decades of the middle discovered 56 medieval graves. They were found located Ages. directly on the platform of the portico, in the floor of the In the first half of the seventh century; after the demolition; porch, on the ruins of shops, and outside them. it seems that Macellum has lost its function and has been Macellum was built on a square near the north western turned into grave. Abandoning the city centre and its corner of the Roman terms about 1.40 m above the level of transformation into a cemetery; is a phenomenon that has their ruins, not exploiting any of the premises of the previous also occurred in of the Balkan Byzantine cities and those of structures. Surrounded by other buildings of Christian Asia Minor.10 religion this monument occupied a central position in the Aspects of the development dynamics of the Dyrrachion in urban composition of the early Byzantine city5. the IV-IX century. The plan metric and architectural solution of Macellum The period of late antiquity for the port of Dyrrachion is offers us an example of the commercial environment, which the time to intensify trade ties with many provinces and on one hand keeps close to the Roman tradition (circular cities of the Mediterranean (Hoti&Komata, 2004). In colonnades, the type of capitals) and on the other hand reflects a compositional scheme somewhat special6 7For the realization of buildings in Dyrrhachion a special role Macellum structures are harmonized in conformity played projects that rely on constructive principles of ancient with other ancient late buildings. The axis of entry into the architecture while handicrafts local branch has been the leading monument is almost parallel to the back of route that manufacturer of construction materials (bricks, tiles, plates, etc..) connected the monument with the closest gate of the south- :Hoti & Komata, (2006),198-199 8Also used as a public square (Forum) where, instead of dedicatory western perimeter wall (“secret gate”). column or obelisk, apparently served the podium on which must (Karaiskaj&.Bace,1975). have been placed the statue. Moreover the inscription dedicated to Constantine the Great; the fragment of a statue (probably of any of 2Some excavation results in areas D and E are presented in the the imperial couple: Anastasios I or Ariadnes); are among article published by : HOTI & METALLA & SHEHI ,2004. evidences that make us to label this monument also as a forum. 3Dyrrachion's manufactory during the sixth century has produced See: Hoti,(1996),176-177 large quantities of bricks with different size. In some of their sides 9Conducted excavations in the south of the podium, under the seal have been faced different types of monograms. Among them have layer of the runway platforms , issued a cultural stratum of the end been also faced fragments by the monograms of Emperor of IV century after Kr.cak limit that can be used as a terminus ante Anastasius I (491-518) and Justinian I.( 527- quem for the dating of macellum 565):Zheku,(1972);Hoti,(1996) 10During the VII-VIII centuries we also have a kind of poverty of 4Macellum must have had the weights room, the toilet (WC), etc. the daily-use facilities, a phenomenon that occurs not only in the Any of the premises may have served even for keeping the inventory of the graves; but also in cultural layers deposited in the livestock. Their slaughter, by keeping on the rituals of worship, Macellum ruins and in other monuments discovered in Durres. should be done at the square of the podium See:.Hoti(2005),57-58; Such a phenomenon associated with a 5In the north and east of the monument were found Christian significant reduction in the monetary circulation, due to the import buildings belonging to the same time frame, the V-VI century. The restriction, whereas such a situation was also accompanied by a presence of several cult buildings near and around it shows that this significant weakening of economic and political dependence from monument has played an important role in urban formulation for . Spahiu,(1979-1980);Hoti&Myrto,(1991).In the seventh the decoration and enrichment of the city centre of Paleochristian century the number of monetary workshops significantly decreased period. See for these: Hoti,(1996). due to administrative reform of the year 629. In the tense political 6Until today we do not have such a construction known and yet circumstances there was a steep decline of the coins circulation. there is no indication for markets with Colonnade such as that of After the conquest of the majority of the Balkan from Slavs, of Dyrrhachion to determine precisely its topology. Comparisons can northern Italy from Longobarda and of Syria and Egypt from be made only for special architectural elements. An example from Arabs, there was a sensitive inflation of the Byzantine coin. For the same Empire area appears in Caricin Grade of southern Serbia, these reasons Constantinople and remained the only considered until now as a VI century building, built in honour of workshops of the empire that continued their the birthday of Emperor Justinian activities:Grierson(1999)

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Archeological and historical data … A. Hoti ______commercial premises of Macellum; except imperial about years 644-663, had as destination trading of these Byzantine coins11, were also found ceramic objects objects in the Episcopal city of Dyrrachion13. (amphorae; lamps, etc.); jewellery objects; glass objects, During the period of Late Antiquity the most used sea lines etc., some of which seem to belong import items.12 were the routes (itineraries): Kerkyra–Patras–Corinth- Since the mid sixth century onwards it is concluded an Dyrrhachion;Dyrrhachion – Brindisi - Otranto; Dyrrhachion increase in manufacturing activity of the city. In Dyrrachion – Olcinium -Salona. it operated a manufacture for producing construction Just like all over the empire, during the VII-VIII century, materials, together with the latter also a thin ceramic also in Dyrrhachion, there is a limited development of the manufactory. Monograms faced in bricks (some of them construction activity, in the extent that, in comparison with belonging to the emperors Anastasius I and Justinian I) and previous construction rhythms, they were insignificant and Christian symbols (crosses, palm branches, Eucharistic did not alter the physiognomy of Dyrrhachion city of the elements, etc.) testify to the role of imperial authority and Palaeochristian period14 Most of the ancient buildings of late the church as "defensor civitatis” Objects originating from antiquity continued to function even in early medieval manufacturing and commercial centres of the Mediterranean, beginnings. The Byzantine surrounding walls were discovered in stratigraphical contexts of Macellum, at the preserved in the same condition. There were also in use foot of the castle and elsewhere, can be found in some some other monuments: the forum, the chapel of the aspects: amphitheatre, and together with them the Church of St. 1- Thy can be seen in the products of the architectural Anargyroi, that is mentioned for the last time in a historical decorative Palaeochristian sculpture, commissioned by the source of the year 714. (Hoti,1996:178). Significant parlour of the Aegean, imported directly from the parlour of restrictions were also made in the monetary circulation, this Preconnesus (island in the Sea of Marmara), as a key as a display the financial system crisis in all Byzantium. construction site of the Empire, very rich in marble mines. Having been under the direct control of the Slavs and Avars, The majority of these facilities are widely used for the Via Egnatia, as the empire's main commercial artery, for construction of Christian worship, in the building of some time, almost ceased to exist. These circumstances Macellum and in various amenities. brought as a consequence a significant contraction of sphere 2- In the amphorae of typological eastern and a little western of exchange and circulation of currency in the region of Mediterranean origin represented by: LRA 1-5, amphorae of South-western Illyricum15. But although the interruption of Samos, spatheion etc., some of which have been in cash flow brought various difficulties in the economy and of circulation until the first half of VII century. This rich manufacturer level of the city, nevertheless archaeological collection of different types testifies for an intense trade excavations and sources speak of the continuity of life in of wine, olive oil and other food assortments. Dyrrhachion. 3-In the Byzantine jewellery products consisting of Christian The city of Dyrhachion (Δυρράχιον), being less affected by liturgy tools (studs, buckles etc.), that, regardless of the crisis after the migration of peoples (late sixth century - assumptions about their origin, even these ornaments beginning of VII century), was easier to integrate into the imported from Mediterranean markets through Egnatia and maritime routes, were very favourite in the jeweller markets 13In the repertoire of the best genre of the Byzantine handicrafts of Dyrrachion and other cities of south western Illyricum. also take place a number of gold and silver dish found in the In the repertoire of the best genre of the Byzantine handicrafts treasury of Vrap village (12 km near ). Dishes decorated with also take place a number of gold and silver dish found in the various motifs are found together with belt buckles dated between treasury of Vrap village(12 km near Tirana).Dishes decorated years 559-665: Balint,(2000). with various motifs are found together with belt buckles of 14In Dyrrhachion and in some medieval cities (Lissus, Avar type dated between years 559-665. This hidden treasure Pulcheriopolis Kanina etc.) was noticed that for the needs of refurbishing works but also the establishment of new buildings, ranging from the VII century onwards have been made limited investments for manufacturing building materials. The discovery, 11Anastasius I was the first Byzantine emperor who made monetary in recent years, of a ceramic workshop near the Dyrrachion reform. The emissions of coins cut from him in 498 under the name Macellum, is a fact that during this stage it operated a ceramic "follis" will touch a new calculus that would change the outdated production workshop. It is likely that the products of this Roman system, which was still preserved in Byzantine monetary workshop, by the beginning of the eighth century, have been items denominations. Following an effective financial policy, state that have circulated in markets of Dyrrhachion Archondia:Hot coffers were added, so that by the end of his reign, in the imperial (2003). treasury were collected considerable sums amounted to 32 14. Numerical decrease of Byzantine coins was noticed from the thousand gold Libra (or 2 million 300 thousand gold nomisma). time of Justin II, especially after him, phenomenon found in all The number of coins of Emperors Anastasius I and Justinian I Byzantine Balkan region. This state of non circulating coins except found in Durres speaks of a roaring trade. Such a phenomenon the narrow regional causes finds an explanation also with the reminds us of a well known fact that during the reign of Justinian I, general crisis of the financial system that affected the entire empire, Dyrrachion was seen as a safe place for storing monetary values: starting from the time of Constans II (mid-seventh century) until Hoti&Myrto( 1991),91.Queen of the Goths, Arnalasuntha, in that the end of the eighth century:Hoti&Myrto,(1991):91-93 situation of unrest, decided to transfer its state coffers from 15Numerical decrease of Byzantine coins was noticed from the time Ravenna in Durres: Chrysos,(1981), 98 of Justin II, especially after him, phenomenon found in all 12 In the repertoire of the best genre of the Byzantine handicrafts Byzantine Balkan region. This state of non circulating coins except also take place a number of gold and silver dish found in the the narrow regional causes finds an explanation also with the treasury of Vrap village (12 km near Tirana). Dishes decorated with general crisis of the financial system that affected the entire empire, various motifs are found together with belt buckles dated between starting from the time of Constans II (mid-seventh century) until years 559-665: Balint,(2000). the end of the eighth century:Hoti&Myrto,(1991):91-93

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Interdisplinary Journal of Research and Development “Alexander Moisiu“ University, Durrës, Albania Vol (I), No.1, 2014 ______new political - institutional formations undertaken by the Arhondia of Dyrrachion had jurisdiction a territory by imperial power. conventional limits, as far as it was possible to exercise its Arhondia of Dyrrachion, created in the beginning of the 8th activity, regardless of the local proto-Arberor population, century, was a self – governance form of the city and its was extended in a much wider region. Its region, often called surroundings. The Archons mentioned there are the by nominations as Dyrrakia, Dysrrakia etc., remained representatives of the local government of the city. In some the major urban center, and the only military bases of Byzantine novels of the time, especially those of the 8th and Byzantium in the Adriatic coast. (Hoti,2005:58). 9th century, taking into special consideration in the In the first decades of the eighth century, after returning of Uspensky’s Taktikon (845 – 846), it is explicitly mentioned its naval forces in the Adriatic, the still the Arhondia of Dyrrachion, as the biggest and the most continued to exercise its authority in the region of Otranto, important district on the outskirts of Ravenna, Venetia and in some islands of in the coastal generations of east Adriatic. Dyrrachion and Dalmatia.( Prigent,2008). its harbor were mostly well known during this period as the During the years 765-770 in the we have a largest military base of Byzantine fleet.(Hoti, 2005). visible presence of the Byzantine fleet, having as a The organization of the Dyrrachion Province looked like supporting base the Dyrrachion port where the local archondian model that Byzantium had created for other administrative structures of Archon were operating. In the provinces in Dalmatia, and elsewhere. In Archondia of district of the local aristocracy of the city, as seen even in the Dyrrhachion (Δυρράχιον) it is also faced the type of the readings of medallions, were also part the defensive military castle "Castra" as a form of reduced paleokristian city plan troops.(Kislinger, 2011). Durres citizen militia formally is within the acropolis, a phenomenon that occurs in the identified as a well armed regiment which was led by the Aegean basin (Amphipoulis, Christoupolis etc.).( power of the authority of Archon, strongly supported by the Hoti,2005:57). ecclesiastical authority of the city.( Prigent,2008: 408).

Fig.3.Durres in 1861,engraving by H.Daumet and J.Sulpic

The beginning of IX century IX- the end of XI century) Since the beginning of this period new works are established belongs to a period that the role of Dyrrachion city grew still in the field of ecclesiastical monumental constructions. further, particularly after the establishment of the Theme Sources give us evidence that during the years 813 to 826 is with the same name (811-815). Favourable geographic built a monastery. A number of specimens of the position of Αρβανον region, replication of the Via Egnatia, architectural decorative plastic of the IX century (capitals, the strengthening of contacts with Western countries, newels, ornate geometric freezer fragments, palmettes, etc.), increasing the value of Byzantine coin16, all this made testify to the Byzantine-style buildings. A basilica with possible that during the IX-X century to have a new impetus baptistery on newels dated IX century was discovered near to economic. the walls of the castle near the C tower (St. Nicholas). Archaeological excavations in the city centre have met with a large worship building (perhaps a cathedral) from which 16Increased circulation of coins becomes considerably since the have emerged architectural elements, pieces of frescos and time of Emperor Theophilus onwards. In the catalog of coins of this other materials of daily use, dated IX-X century. phase, after Theophilus, follow with currencies of Basil I (5 units), Reconstruction with special fragmentary sections are also of Leo VI (30 units), the emperor who until now is represented with done in the perimeter wall. By the end of the X century many coins. Afterwards continue with coins of Romanos I (3 sources also mention the church of St. Andrew, Sea units), of Constantine VII and Nikephoros II Phokas (3 pieces Monastery etc.(Santoro&Hoti&Sassi,2008). each), with an increase in the time of John I Tzimiskes (11 units) Increased economic level made is possible to expand the and Basil II (12 units):Hoti&Myrto,(1991):92-93. 16. Early medieval pottery discovered in Dyrrhachion, Kroia, population of the city in annex fortification near Cape Paul Lissus, Pulcheriopolis etc. is represented by different categories of where it is likely that during this period have come vessels. There predominate the pots jars, jerry and jugs. Among the inhabitants of the interior territory, a phenomenon that has vessels that carry typical new elements not only in typological affected necessarily further amendments of ethnic treatment but also in their decoration, there are also the amphora- physiognomy of the city. In Durres and its surroundings the pitcher (type Otranto with its two variants):Hoti, (1999):238-239

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Archeological and historical data … A. Hoti ______names of places are preserved but there exist even the 12. Hoti, A., Metalla E., Shehi E. 2004.,” Recentissimi foreign sources names (Carina,Gerdec,etc.) related to the scavi archeologici a Durazzo, 2001-2003, in M.Buora, S. Bulgarian occupation.( History,2002). Santoro (eds.), Progetto Durrës. Atti del secondo e terzo During this time in the town market, were in circulation incontro scientifico. Strumenti della salvaguardia del ceramic products and a diverse number of Byzantine patrimonio culturale. Carta del rischio archeologico e jewellery consisting of earrings, rings, pendant, bracelet, and catalogazione informatizzata: esempi italiani ed liturgy tools (crosses of type "Holy Land" and crosses),ect.( applicabilità in Albania (Parma-udine 27-29 marzo Hoti,1995) 17. After the creation of Theme new political- 2003). Alte tecnologie applicate all’archeologia di Durrës administrative and church reorganization sped up the (Durrës 22 giugno 2004)”, Antichità conditions for final transformation of Dyrrhachion into a Altoadriatiche,58,Trieste,pp.514-516. typical Byzantine-Arbëror city, among the most important in 13. Hoti A. 2005.” L’Illirico sudoccidentale nei secoli IV- the west of the empire. There will not be long and in VII” , Gli Illiri e l’Italia(Atti del Convegno Byzantine novels for this city, will come to powerful feudal, Internazionale di Studi, Treviso 16 ottobre 2004), coming from the ranks of the people belonging to the most Treviso,53-75. outstanding part of the city community. In Bishti i Pallës for 14. Hoti, A., Komata, D..2006.” Monograme, Symbole und the first time will be mentioned the topical name Albenje. Inschriften der Frühbyzantinischen Zeit in Albanien”, 8 The formation of feudal civic culture is closely linked to the Internationale Symposion für Byzantinische processes of Arbëror culture because Durres being the city in Sigillographie“ (1-4 Oktober 2003), Studies in Byzantine life continuity since antiquity, was one of the most powerful sigillography 9, Leipzig, pp.197-200. nuclei where was born the medieval Arber, main center of 15. .Karaiskaj, Gj. Bace, A. 1975.” Kalaja e Durrësit dhe the social economic unity formation and linguistic and fortifikimet përreth në kohën e vonë antike”. cultural unification of Arbanon region (Hoti,2005:58-59). Monumentet, 9, pp.5-33. 16. Kislinger, E. 2011 ,”Dyrrhachion und die Küsten von Bibliography: und Dalmatien im frühen Mittelalter – 1. Bálint, C. 2000 .” Some Avar and Balkan Connections Beobachtungen zur Entwicklung der byzantinischen of the Vrap Treasure”From Attila to Charlemagne, New Oberhoheit”, Millennium 8/2011,Jahrbuch zu Kultur und York, pp.180-187. Geschichte des ersten Jahrtausends n. Chr.(Yearbook on 2. Claude, D.1969.”Die byzantinische Stadt im the Culture and History of the First Millennium 6.Jahrhundert”Byzantinisches Archiv,13, pp.63-68. C.E.),Berlin/Boston.p.331-333 3. COMNENA, A. 2010.Alexsiade, a cura di G. Agnello, 17. Prigent,V. 2008.”Notes sur l’évolútion de Palermo,libro V, I, 1. l’administration byzantine en Adriatique (VIIIe-IXe 4. Evangelos, H.1981.“ Syinboli stin Istoria tis siècle)” ,MEFRM – 120/2 – 394. Iperion”Iperotika Kronika” 23. p. 98. 18. Santoro, S., Hoti, A., Sassi, B.. 2005.” L’anfiteatro di 5. Grierson, P. 1999. Byzantine Coinage, Dumbarton Oak Durazzo. Studi e scavi 2004-2005”, Annuario della Research Library and Collection , Washington Scuola Archeologica Italiana di Atene LXXXIII, s.III,5, D.C.pp.17-19. t.II, (2008), (Dyrrachium I),p.728. 6. HISTORY 2002. History of the Albanian People, I, 19. Spahiu, H. 1979-1980. “Monedha bizantine të shek. V- Tirana,pp.218-219. XII të zbuluara në territorin e Shqipërisë”.Iliria, IX- 7. Hoti, A., Myrto H. 1991 ,”Imperial Byzantine coins X,pp.353-422. from Durrës”,Iliria ,1-2, pp. 91-122. 20. Zheku, K, 1972. “ Zbulime epigrafike në muret 8. Hoti, A. 1995.”Des croix médièvales trouvées en rrethuese të kalasë së Durrësit” , Monumentet, 3 , Albanie”,Iliria,1-2, pp.241-248. pp.35-57. 9. Hoti, A. 1996.” Des données archéologiques sur le christianisme ancien a Dyrrhachium (IV-VII siècles)”, Iliria ,26, 1-2, pp.173-181. 10. Hoti, A. 2003.” Some features of the early medieval pottery in Albania (7-11 centuries)”VII e Congres International sur la Ceramique Medievale en Mediterranee,” (Thessaloniki 11-16 October 1999),Athens, pp.237-240. 11. Hoti A., Komata, D. 2004.”Trade relations between the ancient tomns of Albania and the Aegeus region during the IV-VII centuries”, Η Καβαλα Και Τα Βαλκανια” (20-23 Σεπτεμβρίου 2001), Καβαλα, pp.167-180.

17Early medieval pottery discovered in Dyrrhachion, Kroia, Lissus, Pulcheriopolis etc. is represented by different categories of vessels. There predominate the pots jars, jerry and jugs. Among the vessels that carry typical new elements not only in typological treatment but also in their decoration, there are also the amphora-pitcher (type Otranto with its two variants):Hoti, (1999):238-239

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