Prehistoric Shore Settlements of the Southwestern Balkans

Acknowledgments1 Introduction1.1 Objectives1.2 Research Historical Context1.3 Chronology – Starting Point2 Natural Environment2.1 Topography2.2 Hydrology2.3 Climate and Vegetation2.3.1 Holocene Paleovegetation and Early Land Use3 Methodological Foundations3.1 Excavation Techniques Underwater3.1.1 Pile Field Documentation3.1.2 Stratigraphic Excavation3.1.3 Diving Material3.2 Surveying3.2.1 Geodetic Surveying3.2.2 SfM-Based Pile Field Documentation3.3 Scientific Dating3.3.1 Dendrochronology3.3.2 Radiocarbon Dating4 Catalogue of Shore Settlement Sites4.1 Albania4.1.1 Lake Ohrid4.1.2 Great Prespa Lake4.1.3 Korça Basin4.2 Greece4.2.1 Amindeon Basin4.2.2 Great Prespa Lake4.2.3 Lake Kastoria4.3 North Macedonia4.3.1 Lake Ohrid (and Black Drin)4.3.2 Great Prespa Lake5 Ploča Mičov Grad5.1 Location5.2 Research History5.3 Fieldwork 2017–20195.3.1 Objectives 2018 and 20195.3.2 Procedure 2018 and 20195.4 Features5.4.1 Pile Field Analysis5.4.2 Stratigraphy5.4.3 Synthesis of Dating and Stratigraphy5.5 Finds5.5.1 Field 2: Vessel Ceramics5.5.2 Field 2: Other Ceramics5.5.3 Field 2: Stone Artefacts5.5.4 Field 2: Bronze5.5.5 Field 2: Wood and Bone Artefacts5.5.6 Field 15.5.7 Comparisons in the Study Area6 Synthesis6.1 Preservation Condition of Shore Settlement Sites6.2 Current State of Absolute Chronology6.3 First Reference Assemblages for Chronological Classification of Material Culture7 Summary/Zusammenfassung7.1 Summary7.2 Zusammenfassung8 Online Appendix9 References10 Catalogue of Finds10.1 Ploča Mičov Grad, Field 2 and Selection of Field 110.2 Lin 3, Fields 1–3: Selection of Ceramics11 PlatesThis publication presents the first cross-border synthesis of data on prehistoric shore settlement sites in the southwestern Balkans. Archaeological settlement sites, located along lakeshores, rivers, and wetlands, are among the richest sources for prehistoric periods due to their exceptional waterlogged preservation. The preservation of wooden construction elements enables the application of dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating, allowing settlement histories to be reconstructed with high temporal precision.The core of this publication comprises the results of underwater archaeological excavations at Ploča Mičov Grad (North Macedonia), including the associated find assemblage and a pile field analysis; preliminary results from Lin 3 (Albania); and a comprehensive catalogue of all currently known prehistoric shore settlement sites in the tri-border region of Albania, Greece, and North Macedonia. Within this context, the potential of these sites to establish an absolute chronological reference framework is assessed through new data and reanalysis of previously published material.Ploča Mičov Grad provides the first instance in which a well-dated settlement phase (45th/44th century BC) can be directly linked to a fully documented find assemblage. By systematically combining absolute chronological and archaeological data, this study demonstrates the significant potential of shore settlement sites to establish a robust chronological reference framework for the region – one capable of replacing previously incompatible chronologies and significantly advancing our understanding of cultural processes in prehistoric southeastern Europe.