DOI article:
Rummel, Christoph: Geomagnetic research at Risan (Montenegro) and Shkodër (Albania), 2011 season
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41947#0011
Christoph Rummel
GEOMAGNETIC RESEARCH AT RISAN (MONTENEGRO)
AND SHKODER (ALBANIA), 2011 SEASON*
Abstract: In September 2011, the Romisch-Germanische Kommission of the German Archaeological
Institute was invited to carry out geomagnetic surveys at two sites currently excavated by the Center for
Research on the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe of the University of Warsaw, Risan in Montenegro and
Shkoder in Albania. This article presents the results of work at both sites which, although difficult to interpret
in view of adverse ground conditions, contribute to current understanding of site structure. In Risan, the
results enable new insights into the ground plan and extent of the Hellenistic and Roman settlement of
Rhizon/Risinium, while the work carried out in Shkoder provides new insights into settlement patterns in
the area over different periods, as well as showing that the geomagnetic equipment employed is capable of
accurately mapping structures up to a depth of 2+ m.
Keywords: geophysics, Montenegro, Albania
Introduction
The Romisch-Germanische Kommission (RGK) of the German Archaeological Institute, based in
Frankfurt, has a long tradition of archaeological research in Southeastern Europe, particularly in
terms of joint work with local partners. The first formalised platforms for direct contact and ex-
change of ideas were the so-called “Studienfahrten deutscher und donaulandischer Bodenforscher”,
joint field trips of German and Southeastern European researchers that took place from 1928 to
1937.1 Gerhard Bersu, first director of the RGK in 1931-1935 and 1950-1956, was a key member
of these trips. He ensured that the close contacts fostered in the interwar years were not lost after
the cataclysmic events of the Second World War. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century
numerous researchers from Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and all parts of former
Yugoslavia regularly visited the Institute in Frankfurt and used its library, while German archaeo-
logists visited their institutes and academies in return. The results of this involvement can be seen
in numerous successful joint projects that withstood all political divisions and changes over the
best part of the last century.
In view of the long tradition of research in Southeastern Europe, the team running the long-
term excavations of the East German Academy of Sciences at the late Roman fort of latrus/Krivina
in Bulgaria were moved to Frankfurt when that institute was incorporated into the German
* Scientific projects of the National Science Centre, Poland,
nos. 2011/09/M/HS3/01828 and 2011/03/B/HS3/00371.
The field survey at both sites was carried out with the
help of M. Lemke, University of Warsaw, and G. Sommer
von Bulow, Romisch-Germanische Kommission, Frankfurt.
Without their kind assistance it would have been impos-
sible to gather the data presented and evaluated here.
1 Kramer 2001, p. 48; von Schnurbein 2001, pp. 190-196.
GEOMAGNETIC RESEARCH AT RISAN (MONTENEGRO)
AND SHKODER (ALBANIA), 2011 SEASON*
Abstract: In September 2011, the Romisch-Germanische Kommission of the German Archaeological
Institute was invited to carry out geomagnetic surveys at two sites currently excavated by the Center for
Research on the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe of the University of Warsaw, Risan in Montenegro and
Shkoder in Albania. This article presents the results of work at both sites which, although difficult to interpret
in view of adverse ground conditions, contribute to current understanding of site structure. In Risan, the
results enable new insights into the ground plan and extent of the Hellenistic and Roman settlement of
Rhizon/Risinium, while the work carried out in Shkoder provides new insights into settlement patterns in
the area over different periods, as well as showing that the geomagnetic equipment employed is capable of
accurately mapping structures up to a depth of 2+ m.
Keywords: geophysics, Montenegro, Albania
Introduction
The Romisch-Germanische Kommission (RGK) of the German Archaeological Institute, based in
Frankfurt, has a long tradition of archaeological research in Southeastern Europe, particularly in
terms of joint work with local partners. The first formalised platforms for direct contact and ex-
change of ideas were the so-called “Studienfahrten deutscher und donaulandischer Bodenforscher”,
joint field trips of German and Southeastern European researchers that took place from 1928 to
1937.1 Gerhard Bersu, first director of the RGK in 1931-1935 and 1950-1956, was a key member
of these trips. He ensured that the close contacts fostered in the interwar years were not lost after
the cataclysmic events of the Second World War. Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century
numerous researchers from Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and all parts of former
Yugoslavia regularly visited the Institute in Frankfurt and used its library, while German archaeo-
logists visited their institutes and academies in return. The results of this involvement can be seen
in numerous successful joint projects that withstood all political divisions and changes over the
best part of the last century.
In view of the long tradition of research in Southeastern Europe, the team running the long-
term excavations of the East German Academy of Sciences at the late Roman fort of latrus/Krivina
in Bulgaria were moved to Frankfurt when that institute was incorporated into the German
* Scientific projects of the National Science Centre, Poland,
nos. 2011/09/M/HS3/01828 and 2011/03/B/HS3/00371.
The field survey at both sites was carried out with the
help of M. Lemke, University of Warsaw, and G. Sommer
von Bulow, Romisch-Germanische Kommission, Frankfurt.
Without their kind assistance it would have been impos-
sible to gather the data presented and evaluated here.
1 Kramer 2001, p. 48; von Schnurbein 2001, pp. 190-196.