Butrint 6: Excavations on the Vrina Plain Volume 1: The Lost Roman and Byzantine Suburb

Butrint 6 describes the excavations carried out on the Vrina Plain by the Butrint Foundation from 2002–2007, revealing a 1,300-year-long story of a changing community. Volume I discusses the development of the area from an early Roman bridgehead suburb to a major 3rd-century domus, its transformation into a new residential center dominated by a Christian basilica in Late Antiquity, and its subsequent uses following its abandonment due to the rising water table.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Oxbow Books

The Butrint Foundation conducted extensive excavations on the Vrina Plain from 2002 to 2007, located just south of the ancient port city of Butrint. These excavations have unearthed a remarkable 1,300-year history of a dynamic community that thrived from the 1st century AD. Not only did this community play a significant role in shaping Butrint, but it also interacted and responded to the ever-changing political, economic, and cultural dynamics across the Mediterranean world during this period.

Volume I of the excavation findings explores the evolution of the area, starting as an early Roman bridgehead suburb in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, evolving into a prominent 3rd-century domus, one of the largest of its kind in the province of Epirus Vetus. It then transformed into a new residential center dominated by a Christian basilica in Late Antiquity, eventually becoming the residence of a Byzantine archon during the 9th and 10th centuries, effectively becoming Butrint in all but name. Following its abandonment due to rising water levels, the site underwent various uses throughout its history.

The subsequent sections of Volume I delve into the intricate domus mosaics and provide a detailed examination of the basilica mosaics. These mosaics showcase the artistry, symbolism, and contextual significance of this intricate and detailed pavement. The analysis encompasses the imagery, meaning, and historical context of these mosaics, shedding light on the rich tapestry of the Roman and Byzantine periods in the Vrina Plain and their broader significance within the narrative of Butrint and the Mediterranean world.

Dimension: 297 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789258790