The Late Antique Castellum of Vig in Northern Albania. Function and Context
The late antique castellum of Vig in northern Albania is located in the hinterland of the city of Lissus (Lezha), which is close to the Adriatic coast and according to the late antique Tabula Peutingeriana connected to the city of Naissus (Nis/Serbia). The fort of Vig located in the river valley of the Gjader, which has not yet been investigated archaeologically, might possibly secure the road. Due to the existence of silver mines in the mountainous regions northeast of Lissus/Lehza that date into the early modern age and copper mines of the 20th century that have been mentioned by travelling researchers, it might be deducted that the fort was meant to control the river valley and the ancient mines.
In the seasons of 2015 and 2017 of the German Archaeological Institute (Headquarters of the DAI/Archaeological Institute of Albania, funded by the DFG), the fort was documented photogrammetrically and a geophysical prospection was conducted. Excavations on the inside of the fort and the vicus give information on the previously unknown internal structures as well as on the dating and use of the fort. Additionally, surveys are conducted in the surrounding areas in order to understand the function of the fort. The research in Vig will be continued in March/April 2018.
Responsible: Andreas Oettel