Ancient amphoras discovered in Durres bay

TIRANA, Sept. 25 – Several ancient amphoras which used to carry wine and cooking oil have been found in the waters of the Durres Bay, says the Albanian Institute of Archaeology. The amphoras discovered last August are believed to date back to the begging of the first or second century B.C, says Adrian Anastasi, a project director at the Institute of Archaeology.
“These are important and enthusiastic discoveries because only 18 relics of this kind have been found in the whole Mediterranean while the kind of load proves the stable economic relations of Southern Illyria with the Italian coast and the Greek centres.”
The Durres bay is considered a treasury of archeological items which date back to 20 centuries ago. Ancient records usually from Greek or Roman authors did not provide information on the maritime trade activity in southern Illyria but the finding of relics from cargo ships in the Durres port are the most concrete proof of the intense economic exchanges between the Illyrian ports and other Mediterranean countries including North Africa, archaeologists say.
Some 10 ancient anchors have been discovered in the Durres waters in the past decade in cooperation with local fishermen.
“These elements determine the size of the ships sailing in Albanian waters. Big anchors of the ships dating back to the 6 to 3 centuries BC are testimony to the ships of over 300 tonnes and the volume of trade exchanges between Illyria and other regional countries,” says Anastasi.
Doctor Aurel Anasatasi suggests the underwater relics of Durres bay should be put under state protection, bringing the examples of regional countries.
A US-Albanian expedition has discovered numerous amphoras and artefacts including ancient Greek, Roman, medial and modern finds. Dozens of wreck sites including warships and armoured vehicles have also been discovered, mainly in southern Albanian waters.