During the first two weeks of September 2017, the Octopus Foundation will be back on Albanian territory to accompany the archaeologists from Tirana and the University of Geneva. During this new expedition on the historical site of Oricum, the scientists will investigate the remains that were found in the lagoon right next to the forgotten city.
A new recruit, Krisztian Gal, an archaeologist mandated by the UNIGE, will bring his knowledge and skills in the field of underwater archaeology to this year’s mission. The ancient structures that are visible in the bay will be documented under his supervision.
This first prospection will serve as a basis to plan the future expeditions. The specificity of the 2017 mission is that it will be taking place in a subaquatic environment. At first, no excavation will take place, as this would require a substantial infrastructure and a team of specially trained archaeologists. With his expertise, Krisztian Gal will try to figure out if some of these remains belong to the ancient port that was described by Julius Caesar in his books on the Roman Civil War.
According to the archaeologist, working underwater “always requires more preparation than working on dry land”, yet he doesn’t think that the site of Oricum should present any specific difficulties. “Although it is my first campaign in Albania, so we will see,” he concludes. The scientist already worked many times for the UNIGE in the Léman Lake, looking for remains of the Neolithic period.
To accompany the scientists, the Octopus Foundation will bring all of its marine knowledge and skills, along with its fleet of drones to photograph the site. The basis for the 2017 expedition will be the 2016 aerial map, which highlighted many remains sticking out of the lagoon’s seafloor.
Photo: © Philippe Henry