Kamenica Tumulus

The tumulus at Kamenica is a burial mound about seventy metres across used from around the thirteenth century BC to the sixth, holding something over four hundred graves in successive layers, and it was excavated from 2000 in an Albanian and American project that left the mound open under a roof so the burials can be seen in place rather than backfilled. Skeletons, grave goods, bronze and iron ornaments, weapons and pottery are shown where they were found, with a small museum beside it holding the finds and explaining the sequence and what the burials say about the population, their health and their trade connections. It is one of the few prehistoric sites in Albania presented for visitors and the only one of this kind.

History

The central grave, of the 13th century BC, lies within two large concentric circles unlike those of any other mound in Albania, and the tumulus grew to 40 graves in the Late Bronze Age, 1200-1050 BC, and to 200 in the Early Iron Age, 1050-750 BC, taking an elliptical shape of 70 by 50 metres by the 7th century BC. Looters badly damaged it in 1997-1999, after the unrest of 1997, and the excavations of 2000-2002 found more than 400 graves, 440 skeletons and 3,500 objects, making it the largest burial mound of its kind among some 200 excavated in Albania and the neighbouring Balkan countries (Wikipedia, Kamenica Tumulus).

The main sights

• Burials left in place - graves visible where they were excavated.
• Four hundred graves in layers - eight centuries of use in one mound.
• Bronze and iron grave goods - ornaments and weapons in the museum.
• A roofed excavation - the mound kept open rather than backfilled.

When to go

April to October; winter opening is limited. One to two hours. It is quiet at most times. Combine with Korca, which is a short drive north-east.

What to expect

It is small and specialised. Opening hours are limited and the site is sometimes unstaffed. English interpretation is basic. Human remains are on display, which some visitors would rather avoid.

Nearby

Korca is north-east; the Prespa lakes lie north-east.

Key facts