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Home » Findings » Butrint III Wreck

Butrint III Wreck

Date: 6-5 BCE

Era: Greek Archaic

Location: Albanian Coast

Cargo: Corinthian B amphoras

An extremely disturbed and degraded site (AB08-AI) was discovered during dive operations in the shallow waters near the rocky shore south of Butrint Bay. The site is a deposit of broken amphoras; the breaks are numerous resulting in many smaller pieces. Undoubtedly the shallow nature of the wreck site has allowed wave action to wash the ceramics against the rocks and resulted in the breakage and general poor condition of the site. These amphora fragments are lying in several concentrations and many fragments are now adhered to the rocks on which they sit. Overgrowth on the sherds and those adhered to the rocks makes many of the sherds difficult to distinguish. Additionally, a large amount of rock has tumbled from the slope above onto the site and buried amphora fragments and possibly significant portions of the site.

photo of Butrint III site

The visible portion of the site is spread out over an area approximately 15 m in length. Because of the poor condition of the site, it is difficult to ascertain all of the amphora types that are present; however, enough diagnostic material is present for identification of type Corinthian B. The rims, handles, and toes indicate a form from the late 6th – 5th century BCE, and it appears this was a major part of the amphora cargo.

No fragments were raised for conservation, but two loose amphora tops were marked, raised for photography on the RHIB, and returned to the site. A large pan tile, yellow in color, was located near the deposit but it is not certain it is associated with the site.

Project: Albanian Coastal SurveyFinding Type: Notable Finds, ShipwreckTimeframe: Ancient

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