Kratul
Encyclopedia
Kratul was an Illyrian settlement and fortification located in the territories of the Illyrian tribe of Labeates. The archaeological material indicates that life at the settlement was active from the early Iron Age
(beginning of 1st millennium BC) until the 1st century AD.
. The fortification wall encloses an elliptical shape area (which is uncommon among other fortifications but adopts well to the terrain) and covers about 0.5 ha. The wall was built using large blocks on both curtains, while the core is filled with smaller stones. The blocks are unworked and no mortar
has been used. The walls' width goes up to 3.35 m while the height is 2.55 m.
Three gates which served for communication have been identified. Two of them are across each other respectively on the north and south side, while the third one is on the east side. From a typological point of view the Kratul fortification is similar to that of Gajtan, although there are substantial changes in plan such as towers and the regular elliptic shape, which make it an interesting site. So far, there have been no trace of houses found inside the settlement.
in Shkodër District
. On the plain south of the village's outskirts, near the left banks of Kir river, are located 160 tumuli of Shtoj, which date back to the early Bronze Age
. Kratul itself is 8 kilometres (5 mi) to the northeast of Shkodër
city center and only 600 metres (1,968.5 ft) north of Mes Bridge
, a cultural monument.
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
(beginning of 1st millennium BC) until the 1st century AD.
Kratul fortification
Kratul fortification represents a good example that sheds light on the typology of military architecture among IllyriansIllyrians
The Illyrians were a group of tribes who inhabited part of the western Balkans in antiquity and the south-eastern coasts of the Italian peninsula...
. The fortification wall encloses an elliptical shape area (which is uncommon among other fortifications but adopts well to the terrain) and covers about 0.5 ha. The wall was built using large blocks on both curtains, while the core is filled with smaller stones. The blocks are unworked and no mortar
Mortar (masonry)
Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill the gaps between them. The blocks may be stone, brick, cinder blocks, etc. Mortar becomes hard when it sets, resulting in a rigid aggregate structure. Modern mortars are typically made from a mixture of sand, a binder...
has been used. The walls' width goes up to 3.35 m while the height is 2.55 m.
Three gates which served for communication have been identified. Two of them are across each other respectively on the north and south side, while the third one is on the east side. From a typological point of view the Kratul fortification is similar to that of Gajtan, although there are substantial changes in plan such as towers and the regular elliptic shape, which make it an interesting site. So far, there have been no trace of houses found inside the settlement.
Location
The Kratul fortification ruins are situated on the hill with the same name, at an altitude of 143 metres (469.2 ft) above sea level. They lie over the nowadays village of Boks, part of the municipality of PostribëPostribë
Postribë is a municipality in the Shkodër District, Shkodër County, northwestern Albania....
in Shkodër District
Shkodër District
The District of Shkodër is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Shkodër County. It has a population of 185,646 , and an area of 1,973 km². It is in the north of the country, and its capital is Shkodër...
. On the plain south of the village's outskirts, near the left banks of Kir river, are located 160 tumuli of Shtoj, which date back to the early Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
. Kratul itself is 8 kilometres (5 mi) to the northeast of Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
city center and only 600 metres (1,968.5 ft) north of Mes Bridge
Mes Bridge
Mes Bridge is a bridge in the village of Mes, about five kilometres north of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania. It was built in the 18th century, approximately around 1770, and it spans the Kir River. It is 108 m long, and represent one of the longest Ottoman bridges in the region....
, a cultural monument.