The Use of Space: Settlement Pattern during the Late Prehistory in the Lake of Small Prespa (Southeast Albania)

Summary

The question of settlement pattern during the Late Prehistory (Late Bronze and Early Iron Age 1300 – 900 BC) in Albania comprises an unresolved topic constantly discussed over during the last few decades. The high presence of the tumuli mounds and the lack of the contemporary data from a settlement context complicated increasingly the understanding of the way these communities conceptualized their space and exploited the environment. However, recent excavation campaigns in the cave of Tren and the hill above it, and some additional data recorded from latter surveys around the lake of Small Prespa and the adjacent valley of river Devoll offer some invaluable insights regarding the settlement pattern. The paper argues that during the Late Prehistory in this area the location in one settlement is not at all practiced. On contrary, the Late Prehistoric communities largely conditioned by the environmental factors, demographics, natural defense, and social organization chose to live at various small and convenient dwelling spots close and around the lake.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage