Journal of Field Archaeology

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Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and

Epigravettian sites in Albania

Thomas C. Hauck, Rudenc Ruka, Ilir Gjipali, Jrgen Richter & Oliver Vogels

To cite this article: Thomas C. Hauck, Rudenc Ruka, Ilir Gjipali, Jrgen Richter & Oliver Vogels
(2016) Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania, Journal of Field
Archaeology, 41:2, 148-161, DOI: 10.1080/00934690.2016.1156463

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Published online: 11 Mar 2016.

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 Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and
Epigravettian sites in Albania
Thomas C. Hauck 1, Rudenc Ruka2, Ilir Gjipali 2, Jrgen Richter 1, Oliver Vogels 1
1
University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, 2Institute of Archaeology, Tirana, Albania

Albania is a possible stepping-stone for the dispersal of Homo sapiens into Europe, since Palaeolithic traces
(namely from the so-called Uluzzian culture) have been discovered in neighboring Greece and Italy. After two
years of searching for evidence of modern humans in Albania we here report on excavated test trenches
representing two time slices: an Aurignacian open-air site from southern Albania and two Epigravettian
cave sites in central and northern Albaniaareas heretofore archaeologically unknown. The new Albanian
data fill a gap in the eastern Adriatic archaeological record for Marine Isotope Stages 3 and 2. Adding
current knowledge of Late Pleistocene landscape evolution, a contextual area model can be constructed
describing the habitats of these human populations.
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Keywords: Albania, Palaeolithic, Aurignacian, Epigravettian, LGM, contextual area model

Introduction dynamics still face a lack of data from the southeastern

Bridging southwestern Asia and Europe, the Balkans
played a key role in Pleistocene human migrations in
and out of Europe. It is frequently supposed that the
spread of early Homo sapiens sapiens populations from
the Middle East to Europe followed a route through
the Balkans (e.g., Mellars 2006; Richter et al. 2012;
Bar-Yosef and Belfer-Cohen 2013). Evidence for this
migration into southeastern Europe is likely represented
by the Uluzzian culture, discovered in one Greek and in
three Italian caves, Grotta di Fumane, Castelcivita and
Grotta di Cavallo (Palma di Cesnola 1989;
Koumouzelis et al. 2001; Peresani 2008, 2011).
Associated with modern human remains, the Uluzzian
ranges from 45 to 40 ka B.P. It therefore covers the tran-
sition from the Middle Palaeolithic (MP) to the Upper
Palaeolithic (UP) and the Uluzzian lithic artifact assem-
blages comprise both MP and UP elements (Benazzi
et al. 2011; Douka et al. 2014; Kuhn et al. 2010;
Moroni et al. 2012; Peresani et al. 2008).
Another important question concerns population
dynamics before, during and after the Last Glacial
Maximum (LGM) in the Adriatic. Favorable environ-
mental conditions permitted an intermittent presence
of hunter-gatherers during Marine Isotope Stage
(MIS) 2. It is possible that areas further north were
repopulated after the glacial peak by the existing
human populations. Despite a growing body of evi-
dence for these different periods of human prehistory,
comprehensive models of Pleistocene population
Correspondence to: Thomas C. Hauck, Institute for Prehistoric
Archaeology, University of Cologne, Weyertal 125, 50923 Cologne,
Germany. Email: Thomas.Hauck@uni-koeln.de
Balkans. As the territory of Albania is situated along
the alleged trajectory of early modern human
migrations, it can potentially provide more infor-
mation to a still patchy picture.
For this reason, a joint project of the Albanian
Institute of Archaeology and the German
Collaborative Research Center recently started systema-
tic research into the Pleistocene of Albania. Within this
framework the aim was to trace modern humans by
finding UP sites and to reconstruct the climatic and
environmental context of early migrations. An extraordi-
nary archive for past climate and environmental recon-
struction are the Prespa and Ohrid freshwater lakes in
eastern Albania (Wagner et al. 2009, 2010, 2012). The
longest core from Prespa Lake (Co1215), provides
detailed information about Holocene and Upper
Pleistocene landscape evolution back to 90 ka B.P.
(Panagiotopoulos et al. 2014) (FIG. 1). The combination
of this contextual information along with the archaeolo-
gical research described below, will allow a better under-
standing of the circumstances and rhythms of early
modern human migrations into Europe.
Environmental Context
Paleogeographical studies around the Adriatic fringe
suggest a favorable diversified environment during
the peak of the last glaciation. The lowering of the
Mediterranean sea level by as much as 120 m during
MIS 2 lead to a significant extension of coastal low-
lands. The central and northern coast of Albania was
situated around 50 km offshore from the present-day
coastline during the LGM (FIG. 1). Drained by

Trustees of Boston University 2016

148 DOI 10.1080/00934690.2016.1156463 Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO. 2
 Hauck et al.
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Figure 1 Topographic map of Albania and adjacent areas. The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) coastline is set at 120 m below
modern sea level.
meltwater from the Dinaric Alps and Pindos
Mountains these lowlands comprised a well-watered
steppe environment (Van Andel and Shackleton
1982; Shackleton et al. 1984); permanent woodland
covered the mountain areas in the hinterland. The
pollen profile from Lake Prespa at 850 masl shows
that temperate tree populations were growing through-
out the whole glacial period (Panagiotopoulos et al.
2014). Although pine trees dominated LGM forests,
the continuous presence of Abies and Quercus in the
Prespa pollen record proves that species less of cold
survived in this refuge area. Archaeozoological
studies of LGM faunal assemblages from the Istria
Peninsula (Croatia) suggest the presence of a broad
variety of mammalian species on the Great Adriatic
Plain (Miracle 2007). It is no wonder that
Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers were permanently
present within this favorable environmental context.
History of Research and Current Focus
The history of Palaeolithic research in Albania goes
back to the first half of the 20th century with
Cardini (1940) and Von Richthofen (1939) mentioning
Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania
MP and UP cave and open-air sites in southwestern
and central Albania. The 1970s and 1980s saw a
renewed interest in Pleistocene archaeology. Lower,
Middle and Upper Palaeolithic assemblages were
identified after excavations at Gajtan Cave and the
study of several surface collections (Budina 1971;
Prendi and Andrea 1981; Korkuti 1983, 2003; Jubani
1984; Fistani 1993). Since then, the number of
surface collections has steadily increased and includes
MP and UP finds on the hill of Xarra in the Butrint
region (Harrold et al. 1999; Francis and Gjipali
2005; Gjipali 2012), and an open-air site cluster in
the Mallakastra region (Runnels et al. 2004, 2009).
Although some of the artifact collections are large,
their scientific potential is weakened by the fact that
they mostly contain a mixture of several different
periods and lack stratigraphic contexts (Gjipali
2012). The same holds true for the Pleistocene-
Holocene transition with the exception of one unequi-
vocal Mesolithic assemblage at Konispol Cave in
southern Albania (Korkuti et al. 1996).
Our current archaeological research focuses on three
key areas: the lagoon of Butrint in the south, the large
Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO. 2 149
 Hauck et al. Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania
bay of Vlora on the southwestern coast and the karst
region of Mati in the north (FIG. 1). Surveys in all
three regions lead to the discovery of MP and UP
surface material, and ensuing test excavations at
chosen localities corroborate the potential for
Paleolithic research. This paper presents the first
securely dated evidence for Palaeolithic hunter-gath-
erers shortly after the LGM in Albania. Traces of
MP and UP humans prior to the LGM suggest that
the Albanian territory was crossroads for migrating
Pleistocene humans.
Methods
All currently investigated localities were already
known to be prehistoric sites as they were visited
during two short-term fieldtrips aiming to locate
Upper Pleistocene sediments. A systematic survey
around these sites using a standard protocol is still to
be done. At places showing the highest potential in
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terms of finds density or preservation, we immediately
started test excavations. This involved the setting up of
local grid systems and the systematic recording of
spatial features and single finds with the help of an
EDM Total Station (Leica TS06). Excavation of
find-bearing layers was done with trowels. Removed
sediments were dry-sieved on the site by using 5 mm
and 2 mm mesh. In the excavations we hit sequences
of still unknown depth as bedrock was not attained
in all trenches except one.
Early Upper Palaeolithic Sites
In Albania, MP stone artifacts are ubiquitous and
dominate the surface assemblages collected in the
last couple of years (Gjipali 2012). They lack any stra-
tigraphic contexts and mostly contain heavily rolled or
edge-damaged pieces. Nevertheless, their large
Figure 2 The entrance to Blazi Cave as seen from the southwest.
150 Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO.
number and distribution in different topographic pos-
itions point towards a dynamic MP settlement system
and underscores the research potential for this period.
No archaeological site has yet been identified dating to
the end of the MP and the emergence of the UP
between 45 ka and 40 ka B.P. However, Albania lies
within the supposed boundaries of the early UP
Uluzzian technocomplex, and it is probably just a
question of time until unequivocal traces of the earliest
modern humans will be found. This likelihood is
reinforced by new evidence from two different
Albanian sites, the open-air site of Shn Mitri in the
south and Blazi Cave in the north (FIG. 1).
Blazi Cave
Blazi Cave is situated in the hinterland in the
Cretaceous mountain zone of northern Albania, in
the district of Mati (FIG. 1). It belongs to an extended
and still active karst system which comprises several
caves at different elevations (Xhomo et al. 2002).
Blazi and two other caves are aligned along a north-
west-southeast running dry valley at around 300
masl. The entrance to Blazi Cave faces southwest
and is visible from far away when entering the valley
from the south (FIG. 2). A steep slope leads to the
modern-day entrance and limestone walls extending
downslope indicate the backward erosion of the
ancient dripline. The cave consists of a 60 m long
front gallery from which another gallery called the
Gallery of the Bats branches off and heads
another 200 m northward (FIG. 3). Both galleries are
connected by a very narrow passage. A third possible
gallery is completely filled up with rock-fall from a
major collapse in the northwestern part of the front
gallery. Dry stone walls which were recently built for
animal herding in the cave partially seal the entrance.
2
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Figure 3 Plan and cross-section of Blazi Cave showing the 2012 test trenches.

Archaeological work at Blazi Cave started in 1979
and confirmed a sequence ranging from the early
Neolithic to the Bronze Age (Prendi 1979; Prendi
and Andrea 1981). A large part of the front gallery
was excavated then, reaching bedrock in many areas.
The lack of a complete depositional sequence in the
front gallery drove our decision to open three small
test trenches (I, III and IV) in the areas with remaining
deposits (FIG. 3). While Trench III reached only sterile
sediments, archaeological layers were found in
Trenches I and IV. Trench IV has a dense charcoal
concentration and early Neolithic pottery fragments
in its lower section; radiocarbon samples from the
deposits are currently being processed at the Cologne
AMS laboratory. Near the entrance, Trench I was
opened in a small depression still containing 70 cm
of Pleistocene sediments (FIG. 4). Three radiocarbon
dates were obtained for Layers 3a and 4 (TABLE 1)
(FIG. 4). Here, the charcoal samples date to the critical
timeframe between 35,000 and 45,000 years CAL B.P.
Layers 3 and 4 are mostly built up of slightly weath-
ered and chaotically aligned limestone clasts in a
clayey matrix. Intensive precipitation of manganese
gives Layer 3b its distinctive black color (FIG. 4). The
strong slope of the layers is probably the result of the
re-deposition of terrace deposits inside the cave. It is

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Figure 4 Southern section of Trench I in Blazi Cave showing the excavated Pleistocene sequence. Selected Epigravettian
artifacts found in Layer 2 are shown on the right: 1) blade core; 2) backed bladelet; 3) end-scraper; 4) microgravette point.

possible that re-deposition resulted from fluvial action
within a still active karstic environment.
Fluvial impact further explains the polished surface
and edge damage visible on five out of eight lithic arti-
facts found in isolated positions in Layers 3 and 4. Two
of the implements show evidence of blade production;
the remainder are of uncertain technology. Given its
small size, it is not possible to attribute the Layer 3
and 4 assemblage to any particular Palaeolithic
period. Nevertheless, some lithic artifacts recovered
from the nearby slope surface are clear MP and early
UP forms; the artifacts are well-preserved and lack
any signs of water action. The MP is represented by
Levallois flakes and cores as well as numerous side
Table 1 AMS radiocarbon dates for the Pleistocene
sequence of Blazi Cave (Trench I). The charcoal samples were
pretreated with the acid-alkali-acid extraction method (AAA).
The numbers in the first column mark the position of the
samples in the sequence shown in Figure 4. Radiocarbon
dates were calibrated using CalPal 2007 (Weninger and Jris
2008; Weninger et al. 2010).
14
No. Lab No. Layer C years B.P. Years CAL B.P.
1 COL1959.1.1 2 15,727 85 18,820 80
2 COL1957.1.1 3 29,287 254 33,670 420
3 COL1956.1.1 4 39,648 722 43,480 830
4 COL1958.1.1 4 40,713 827 44,250 1050
scrapers, all made on radiolarite pebbles (FIG. 5:
12). It is fairly likely that the red, green and black-
colored radiolarite was collected in nearby riverbeds.
The pebbles small size could explain the systematic
production of small flakes by using the preferential
and recurrent centripetal Levallois method. The
same exclusiveness of radiolarite use is recorded for
an Aurignacian occupation phase which is indicated
by several carinated cores and thick endscrapers
(FIG. 5: 34, 8). These tools show that the local radi-
olarite was also suitable for the production of blades
and bladelets.
The continuing search for Middle and Upper
Palaeolithic in situ layers at Blazi Cave focuses on
the open terrace. Here, Trench II was dug outside
the dripline (FIG. 3). Although it reached 1.5 m in
depth, no Palaeolithic layers have yet been detected.
Pleistocene deposits are however present in the form
of reddish clay interspersed with calcite crusts of 10
to 20 cm in thickness. The potential to find MP and
early UP remains is shared by neighboring caves a
short distance from Blazi Cave. Future excavations
will open the still untouched sequences in front of
these caves. Provided that the presence of early
modern humans can be definitely proven in the moun-
tainous region of Mati, it will be interesting to

152 Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO. 2

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Figure 5 Lithic artifacts discovered on the terrace slope in front of Blazi Cave. 1) convex side scraper; 2) Convergent side
scraper; 3) Carinated end-scraper; 4) Thick end-scraper; 5) Burin on retouched blade fragment; 6) Backed bladelet; 7) Retouched
blade; 8) Carinated burin.

compare these cave sites with open-air localities in the
coastal lowlands.
A definite Aurignacian component was recently
identified among lithic artifacts eroding out of sand
deposits on the Mediterranean coast north of Vlora.
This material has still to be analyzed. A similar situ-
ation involving Aurignacian-looking assemblages is
located in the extreme southern part of Albania in
the lagoon of Butrint. Small hills that are in fact iso-
lated Pleistocene terrace remains covered with
eolian sediments stick out of the flat Holocene flood-
plain. At two such places, Xarra and Shn Mitri,
lithic artifacts lie on the surface, and therefore, test
excavations were done on one of them, the Shn
Mitri hill (FIGS. 6, 7).
Shn Mitri
The site was discovered in 2001 during surveys in the
Butrint region (Runnels et al. 2004; Gjipali 2006).
Dense lithic scatters appear on the surface around
small erosional cuts resulting from surface run-off
due to recent terrace-building and dirt road construc-
tion. Several small bladelet cores of Aurignacian
type were found among the densest of these scatters
at the base and middle part of the hill. We opened
three parallel test trenches to check for the presence
of archaeological layers in the middle part of Shn
Mitri hill (FIG. 7) The east-west oriented trenches
were spaced 7 m apart and excavated to a depth of
60 to 80 cm. Overall, the sequence showed a 20 cm
to 30 cm thick humic topsoil (Layer 1) which was fol-
lowed below by a yellow-brown colored sandy clay
(Layer 2) interspersed with iron oxides and concen-
trations of manganese. Layer 2 consisted of colluvium
accumulated in the course of run-off events or slope
wash explaining the sharp and erosive transition to
Layer 1. In Test Trenches 1 and 2 and in the sub-
sequent excavation around Trench 1, traces of

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Figure 7 Test excavation area at Shn Mitri. Top: Location of

Figure 6 The 2012 test excavation at Shn Mitri.
the site on the Shn Mitri hill; Bottom: Artifact density plot in
the surface excavation area and adjoining test trenches; the
western section (A-B) of the excavation area is given below
and shows the Holocene intrusion in the form of limestone
slabs and pits.

Holocene settlement appeared throughout in the form
of several pits and a horizontal alignment of large
limestone slabs in one area (FIG. 7). Finds related to
this period are extremely scarce and include only
tiny, non-diagnostic pottery fragments and charcoal.
The area was likely structured several times as the
series of radiocarbon dates for Layer 2 suggests Iron
Age, Bronze Age and Neolithic occupations
(TABLE 2). These Holocene settlement activities
certainly affected the remains of Pleistocene human
occupation. Lithic artifacts were found scattered
throughout the sequence, however, two major concen-
trations appeared, one at 45 cm below the surface and
another at the base of the excavations. Disturbances
likely include the re-deposition of archaeological
material through sediment run-off and/or subsequent
modification of Paleolithic layers during Holocene
settlement activities.
The excavated Shn Mitri artifact collection com-
prises 996 items of which 43% are chunks and frag-
ments, many of them burnt. Simple flakes account
for 34% of the assemblage of which a significant
part is from core preparation and maintenance.
Blades, bladelets and microblades occur in small
numbers (5%) despite the fact that around half of the
34 cores found are blade and bladelet cores.
Microblades were struck from carinated pieces (n =
8) that are cores on thick flakes or blades. Tools are
rare and only nine end-scrapers, four side scrapers
and one backed piece are diagnostic implements.

Table 2 AMS radiocarbon dates obtained on charcoal samples from Layer 2 at Shn Mitri (Burtint region). The charcoal samples
were pretreated with the acid-alkali-acid extraction method (AAA). Radiocarbon dates were calibrated using CalPal 2007
(Weninger and Jris 2008; Weninger et al. 2010).
14
Lab N Layer C years B.P. Years CAL B.P. Period

COL1968.1.1 2 1299 44 1330 40 Late Antiquity/Early Middle Ages

COL1961.1.1 2 3745 39 4110 90 Middle Bronze Age
COL1965.1.1 12 3900 44 4310 80 Early Bronze Age
COL1960.1.1 2 4290 47 4890 50 Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age
COL1967.1.1 2 5944 49 6780 80 Late Neolithic
COL1962.1.1 2 6181 47 7090 100 Middle Neolithic
COL1966.1.1 2 6214 49 7210 90 Middle Neolithic

154 Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO. 2

 Hauck et al.
As the lithics have a uniform patination and good
preservation, a mixture of different assemblages from
different periods is rather unlikely. This is an impor-
tant point, as the techno-typological structure of the
Shn Mitri assemblage raises questions about its cul-
tural affiliation. The presence of carinated cores and
thick end-scrapers warrants an attribution to the
Aurignacian (FIG. 8). The carinated cores exhibit the
typical narrow and steep front with converging micro-
blade removals and one or two lateral notches that
accentuate its convex nature. Microblades stemming
from these cores are frequently twisted in their longi-
tudinal sections (FIG. 8: 57). However, any other
classic Aurignacian tools like simple burins or
Dufour bladelets are lacking. Furthermore, the indus-
try is flake-based likely as an adaptation to the small
size of the flint pebbles. Two aspects make an early
Upper Palaeolithic affiliation questionable: the
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Figure 8 Selected lithic artifacts from Shn Mitri, Layer 2. 1) Carinated core; 2) Blade; 3) Carinated core; 4) Microblade core; 56)
Micro-blades; 89) End-scrapers.
Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania
presence of small, flat semi-circular end-scrapers sup-
ports an Epipalaeolithic or even Mesolithic attribu-
tion; the fact that many cores, including some
carinated items, have altered coloration likely indicates
that some cores or even whole flint pebbles were heat
treated prior to bladelet production.
On the other hand, it is possible that a significant
part of the lithic material was unintentionally burnt
in fireplaces during Palaeolithic, Mesolithic or
Holocene times. It should be noted that a large
number (around 20%) of all artifacts shows traces of
heating with a wide spectrum from slightly burnt to
nearly shattered. A typical Mesolithic toolkit includ-
ing geometric implements and other microliths is
lacking. The small flat end-scrapers are all made on
short and thick flakes that were produced by hard
hammer percussion. Respective cores are found as
small, alternately exploited waste cores. The fact that
Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO. 2 155
 Hauck et al. Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania
one of these cores shows a superposition of flake scars
on earlier micro-blade removals indicates that the two
different reduction strategies, micro-blade and flake
production, are somehow closely related. Flake tech-
nology is undiagnostic in terms of relative chronology
but due to the significant presence of an Aurignacian-
type microblade technology, we tentatively attribute
the Shn Mitri assemblage to the Aurignacian.
Further research at the site will hopefully clarify the
chronological position of Shn Mitri and aspects of
site formation. The techno-typological structure of
the lithic assemblage may reflect a specialized activity
site where the occupants reduced locally available flint
pebbles into flakes for small end scrapers and obtained
micro-blades from carinated cores. If an early Upper
Paleolithic age can be corroborated, Shn Mitri is
the first known open-air Aurignacian site in Albania.
Late LGM sites in Albania
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At all investigated sites, evidence for human occu-
pation in the later part of MIS 3 (ca. 3020 KA B.P.)
is missing. Furthermore, no Gravettian material has
yet been identified in Albanian surface collections. If
this lack of Gravettian occupations is merely a coinci-
dence or due to insufficient research is an open ques-
tion. Future research in this direction should focus
on the question of whether or not landscape use in
the Gravettian was different compared with earlier
and later Palaeolithic periods. The record of
Epigravettian sites in Albania is growing. The two
sites described below are situated within different
environmental settings and can thus potentially
provide insights into different adaptive solutions or
seasonal patterns. While the first site, Kanali, is
located close to the present coastline, the second site,
Blazi Cave, is situated further inland (FIG. 1).
The Epigravettian of Blazi Cave
At Blazi Cave, the sequence recorded in Trench I
shows in its uppermost part a small sediment pile
probably mixed with 1979 backdirt (Layers 1a and
1b in Figure 4). These layers contain lithic artifacts
such as backed bladelets, and they suggest the possible
loss of Palaeolithic remains during the earlier clear-
ance of the cave. Below Layer 1, limestone scree and
light brown-yellow to grey colored clay deposits
(Layers 2a and 2b) form the upper part of the remain-
ing Pleistocene. The transition to Layer 1 is sharp and
shows signs of bioturbation. Altogether, 174 lithic arti-
facts and a few bones were discovered in Layer 2. The
assemblage is dominated by red to green colored radi-
olarite that was used for blade and bladelet pro-
duction. It is accompanied by a honey-colored,
translucent flint variety that was probably introduced
in the form of finished tools. An example of such an
imported implement is the microgravette point
156 Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO.
depicted in Figure 4 (FIG. 4: 4). Many core mainten-
ance flakes (n = 106) suggest that at least some of
the blades and bladelets (n = 50) were produced at
Blazi Cave. These blades were often struck from
cores (n = 5) with two opposing striking platforms
(FIG. 4: 1). The toolkit includes some characteristic
elements such as backed and retouched bladelets
(FIG. 4: 24). The Blazi Cave Layer 2 assemblage is
of clear Epigravettian type and this affiliation is
reinforced by the radiocarbon date (COL1959.1.1) of
18,820 80 CAL B.P for a charcoal sample found in
Layer 2 (TABLE 1). It is therefore the only dated assem-
blage of this period in Albania so far.
Kanali
At Vlora Bay on the central Albanian coast, the
flat Holocene floodplain is bordered on the south by
a lower Cretaceous limestone ridge. Between 150 and
100 masl, the northern foothills of this southeast-
northwest stretching ridge, Rreza e Kanali, has
several rock-shelters and a few small caves.
Dissolution effects and collapses lead to the formation
of these concavities in the lower limestone conglomer-
ate. Holes in the ground and long depressions stretch-
ing towards the adjacent plain are remnants of former
cave systems that are now barely visible due to the col-
lapses. The Kanali rock-shelter (Kanali I) is the
remnant of one such cave (FIG. 9). It faces northeast
and its walls extend to 60 m in length and around
20 m in height. In the course of a small test excavation
in 1939, L. Cardini found pottery fragments that he
dated to the Chalcolithic and undiagnostic lithic arti-
facts within the shelter (Francis and Vulpi 2005).
Recent excavations in the same area (Kanali I,
Trenches 14) uncovered Late Mesolithic artifacts.
However, the Mesolithic assemblage is mixed with
Bronze Age and Medieval material due to intensive
disturbance of the deposits caused by the repeated
herding of cattle within the rockshelter (Kurti 2005;
Francis et al. 2009).
Fifty meters downslope from the rock-shelter,
former cave deposits were found in a small test
trench (Kanali II, Trench 1). Underlying a thin and
weakly developed topsoil (Layer 1 in Figure 9), light
brown to reddish colored clayey sediments interspersed
with stalagmite fragments are the remainder of depos-
its which originally accumulated within a closed cave
system (Layers 2a to 5 in Figure 9). Although the
small size of the trench (1 1 m) precludes a refined
reconstruction of site formation processes, the slope
of the deposits and the irregular distribution of
calcite fragments in the sediment matrix indicate
major displacement. This also explains the lack of dis-
tinct archaeological levels in Trench 1. Instead, lithic
artifacts were found as a diffuse scatter with a major
concentration in Layer 1 (topsoil) and a few dispersed
2
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Figure 9 Kanali rockshelter overlooking the flat Holocene floodplain at the southern end of Vlora Bay. In the photo, the arrow
marks the position of the test trench further downslope. The line of limestone blocks is the remainder of an ancient collapsed
cave system.

items in Layers 2a and 2b below (FIG. 9). The origin of
the artifacts may be upslope. However, a second test
trench in a higher position (Trench 2) at Kanali II
exhibited only sterile deposits. Despite being in sec-
ondary position, the lithic implements are well-pre-
served and do not show any traces of high-energy
transport. The assemblage comprises 332 artifacts
and is dominated by small core preparation flakes,
burnt debris and small chips. Diagnostic blanks and
implements are unretouched blades and bladelets
(n = 28), backed blades and bladelets (n = 15),
retouched micro-blades (n = 2), end scrapers (n = 2),
fragments of microgravette points (n = 2), and a
double truncated blade (FIG. 10).
This toolkit clearly allows an attribution of the
Kanali II assemblage to the Epigravettian period. As
the small flakes and chips in the remaining part of
the assemblage most likely originated from the blade-
let production process and given the absence of any
older material, the Kanali II assemblage as a whole
can be dated to the Epigravettian. Some special tool
types may even allow a more refined chronology.
Although radiocarbon dates are still lacking, the pres-
ence of short end-scrapers, microgravette points and
the double truncated blade (trapezoid) suggest a rela-
tively evolved Epigravettian phase. The Kanali
material is tentatively dated to the time between the
Last Glacial interstadial and the end of the Younger

Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO. 2 157

 Hauck et al. Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania
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Figure 10 Selected artifacts of the Kanali II lithic assemblage. 1) Tip of a Gravette point; 2) Backed bladelet; 3) Overshot blade
fragment; 45) Microgravette points; 68) Backed bladelets; 9) Double truncated blade (trapezoid); 10) Short end-scraper.
Dryas during which trapezoidal microliths became
more and more important (Dalmeri et al. 2004).
Discussion
Aurignacian
Although systematic research into the Palaeolithic of
Albania is still nascent, the archaeological evidence
presented here shows that the Albanian territory pro-
vides an important piece in the puzzle of Pleistocene
human migrations and population dynamics.
However, the earliest traces of modern humans in
Albania are still faint. Only three charcoal samples
retrieved in the lower section of Blazi Cave date to
between 45 and 30 ka B.P. As the charcoal was not
associated with a distinct archaeological layer, MP
and Aurignacian type artifacts discovered on nearby
surfaces at Blazi and at neighboring caves are of
major importance and underscore the research poten-
tial of the Mati karst area. At present, the Aurignacian
signature shown by the Blazi Cave surface material is
characterized by blade production using radiolarite
158 Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO. 2
pebbles; some of the blades were modified into thick
end-scrapers or used as carinated cores for bladelet
production. Ongoing research will attempt to correlate
the radiocarbon dates with in situ MP and UP layers
by opening the still untouched sequences on the ter-
races of Blazi Cave and neighboring caves.
Aurignacian material is also known from surface
collections from the coastal lowlands. At one such
place called Shn Mitri in the Butrint lagoon, a test
excavation provided a rich lithic assemblage. The situ-
ation there is complicated by a mismatch between
Holocene radiocarbon dates and the UP nature of
the lithic assemblage. Furthermore, the site has a
complex taphonomic history including disturbances
during early Holocene settlement activities.
Nevertheless, provided that the artifacts from Shn
Mitri belong to the Aurignacian, the site holds a clue
to understanding early UP variability. Its techno-typo-
logical structure is similar to the early Aurignacian
assemblage in Level IV at Klissoura Cave (Greece)
that is equally dominated by small flakes serving as

blanks for end-scrapers (Koumouzelis et al. 2001). At
both sites, the small size of locally available raw
material is the decisive factor. It may explain why
some Aurignacian tool types, such as blades with
Aurignacian retouch, simple burins and Dufour blade-
lets are rare or even absent. The early Aurignacian of
Klissoura dates back to around 35 to 37 ka CAL B.P.
(Kuhn et al. 2010) and it is possible that the Shn
Mitri assemblage is at least of the same age.
Epigravettian
Time resolution and cultural affiliation are somewhat
better for the late LGM sites in Albania. At two
localities, Blazi Cave and Kanali, Epigravettian
remains were discovered during test excavations. The
Blazi Cave Layer 2 assemblage is dated to 18,820
80 CAL B.P., whereas the toolkit of Kanali II suggests
a slightly younger age for this site. The presence of
geometric microliths points towards
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Epigravettian (1611 ka B.P.) hunter-gatherers who
occupied the former cave.
The two Albanian sites belong to a wider pan-
Adriatic Epigravettian phenomenon of technological
change that happened during the LGM and post-
LGM period. The change is signaled by a shift from
a steppe-adapted to a forest-adapted system with the
onset of deglaciation and the spread of mixed decid-
uous woodlands after 15 ka B.P. (Bailey and Gamble
1990). A diversified body of lithic tool forms succes-
sively enriched by innovations such as geometric
microliths exemplifies human adaptation during the
Epigravettian period (Bietti 1990; Milliken 1998).
Exchange of information and material goods was sup-
posed to be rather easy across the exposed LGM
coastal plain, and therefore, close cultural relations
probably existed between both sides of the Adriatic
Sea (Whallon 2007; Cancellieri 2015; but see
Mihailovic and Mihailovic 2007). Among other
factors, this explains the similarity between the
Albanian record and other Epigravettian sites of
northern Greece and Italy. Regarding the congruence
of their toolkits, the Blazi Cave and Kanali II assem-
blages share features with the Late Epigravettian
assemblages of Kastrita Layers 31, Klithi and Bola
in the Epirus mountains of northwestern Greece, at
roughly 100 km from Kanali and dated to between
24,000 and 14,500 years CAL B.P. (Kotjabopoulou
et al. 1999; Adam 1999).
In the current state of knowledge, the Albanian
Epigravettian record seems to match the site distri-
bution patterns recorded in Epirus to the south.
Here, post-LGM occupation is restricted to rockshel-
ters and caves that are found in the well-watered
coastal lowlands as well as in the mountain zone
further inland (FIG. 1). This suggests a logistically orga-
nized mobility system with seasonal movement from
Hauck et al. Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania
the lowlands in winter to the uplands in summer
(Runnels 1995; Bailey 1999). Hence, the evidence
from northwestern Greece and the Albanian data
can be combined into one LGM contextual area
model (Richter et al. 2012). The archaeological sig-
nature within this circumscribed area has certain topo-
graphical, environmental and sociocultural
parameters that all shape the habitat of prehistoric
populations.
Conclusions
Recent archaeological research has led to the discovery
of one Aurignacian site in southern Albania and two
Epigravettian occurrences in central-northern
Albania. There are two implications: firstly, if the
Aurignacian culture is accepted as one of the com-
ponents of the cultural framework connected with
early modern humans, Albania can clearly contribute
Late to the eastern Adriatic record of possible corridors for
human migration and dispersal. Secondly, the LGM in
Europe did not see a complete abandonment by
humans but allowed for human occupation in some
distinct regions. Current evidence indicates that
Albania was part of the LGM Adriatic refuge area
for Palaeolithic peoples.
Our aim has been to refine a contextual area model
of the LGM and post-LGM periods in the eastern
Adriatic and to work out similar models for earlier
time slices. Future Palaeolithic research in Albania
aims to increase the number of archaeological sites
and extend the scope of information at the sites pre-
sented here.
Acknowledgments
The Collaborative Research Center 806 project titled
Our Way to Europe: Culture-Environment
Interaction and Human Mobility in the Late
Quaternary (Cologne, Bonn, Aachen) is generously
supported by the German Research Foundation. We
would like to thank Janet Rethemeyer for kindly pro-
viding the AMS 14C dating results. Further thanks
goes to the Albanian Institute of Archaeology for pro-
viding technical support. For their help we would like
to thank all Albanian students and workers who par-
ticipated in fieldwork. Finally, we also thank four
anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments.
Thomas C. Hauck (Ph.D. 2010, University of Basel,
Switzerland) is a lecturer and postdoctoral research
fellow at Cologne University, Cologne, Germany. His
research interests include Upper Palaeolithic human-
environment interaction in the Balkans, and Middle
and Upper Palaeolithic technology in general.
Rudenc Ruka (M.A. 2008, University of Tirana,
Albania) is a research fellow at the Institute of
Journal of Field Archaeology 2016 VOL. 41 NO. 2 159
 Hauck et al. Recent discoveries of Aurignacian and Epigravettian sites in Albania
Archaeology, Tirana. His research interests include
Palaeolithic archaeology and lithic technology, and
the Mesolithic in Albania.
Ilir Gjipali (Ph.D. 1999, Albanian Academy of
Sciences, Tirana, Albania) is Head of the Prehistory
Department at the Institute of Archaeology, Tirana.
His research interests include the Palaeolithic,
Mesolithic and Neolithic of Albania.
Jrgen Richter (Ph.D. 1988, University of Erlangen,
Germany) is Professor for Palaeolithic Prehistory at
Cologne University, Cologne, Germany. His research
interests include Old World Stone Age Archaeology,
Palaeolithic (Europe), Middle and Late Stone Age
(Africa), Neolithic (Rhineland and North Africa),
Lithic Technology, Landscape Archaeology,
Palaeodemography, Quaternary Stratigraphy, and
Rock Art.
Downloaded by [Zagreb University] at 05:52 19 May 2016
Oliver Vogels (M.A. 2010, University of Cologne,
Germany) is a Ph.D. candidate at Cologne
University, Cologne, Germany. His research interests
include Prehistoric music cultures, media theory in
musicology and archaeology, hunter-gatherer demogra-
phy and sociology, hunter-gatherer subsistence strat-
egies, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
based landscape archaeology.
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