Butrint’s Buried History: Archaeological Excavations of the Ancient City

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course examines the archaeology and history of the ancient city of Butrint (Buthrotum), on the basis of current archaeological research directed by Professor Hernandez at the site of the Roman forum. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, between Italy and Greece, the city has been occupied by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Angevines, Venetians, Ottomans, and Albanians. Covering a period of more than 3,000 years, the course introduces students to the study of material culture in the context of Mediterranean history, including the methods, results, and theory of archaeological surveys and excavations. The material examined ranges from buildings, inscriptions, coins, and statues to pottery, glass, bones, and seeds. Topics include the origins of the city as a Greek colonial outpost, the establishment of the Hellenistic sanctuaries of Asclepius and Zeus Soter, the foundation of the Roman colony under Augustus, its transformations into a Byzantine castrum, Venetian enclave, and later an Ottoman stronghold, as well as its current status as the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country of Albania. Major themes include society, slavery, religion, architecture, urbanism, colonization, imperialism, laws, acculturation, ethnic identity, and the natural environment. No background in archaeology or history is required.