Butrint Archaeological Site

Sarande, Albania
8th century B.C.--18th century A.D.
As a result of political instability in the region, looting of artifacts, and the threat of coastal development-hotels, golf courses, commercial operations-that would encroach on the ruins of this ancient settlement, UNESCO recently included Butrint on its list of sites in danger. As early as the eighth-century B.C., trade developed between Epirus and Corfiot colonies in southern Italy, and Butrint was established as a base of operations between the regions. The settlement became a stop along the merchant trade routes for successive waves of Romans, Goths, Byzantines, Venetians, and Turks. In the 1920s, archaeologists unearthed a Greek polygonal wall around the acropolis, a fourth-century amphitheater, and sculptures. Since its inclusion on the 1996 and 1998 Watch lists, some problems have been addressed: dense vegetation has been cleared, studies revealed ways to control flooding, and public awareness has been raised. But development forces persist, one remedy for which would entail enlarging the Butrint UNESCO World Heritage Site boundary to keep contextually insensitive growth at a distance. A continuous management framework needs to be established. Butrint is on the World Heritage List in Danger.

Listed 1996 | 1998