The Early Bronze Age dendrochronology of Sovjan (Albania): A first tree-ring sequence of the 24th – 22nd c. BC for the southwestern Balkans

The archaeological site of Sovjan is situated on the edge Korçë Basin, southeastern Albania. Its remarkably long and well investigated stratigraphic sequence, spanning from Neolithic till Iron Age, makes it an important type- reference-site for whole region. At different periods prehistory was located shores former Lake Maliq that once filled but definitely drained in 1940′s. These permanent wetland conditions allowed a high degree preservation organic material, especially wood. Based current knowledge, level 8 contains best-preserved wooden material all Early Bronze Age sites Balkans. Through combination dendrochronology Bayesian modelling, i.e. wiggle-matching, floating 269-years tree-ring chronology constructed, with absolute end-date range falling between 2158 2142 cal BC (2σ). It possible to establish dwellings trackway associated last occupation phase are contemporaneous. Additionally, help new dendrochronological data based previously published charcoal dates, subsequent 7 being narrowed-down mid-22nd mid-20th c. layers Sovjan, which particularly pertinent 3rd millennium southwestern Balkans, can now be dated precision first time hence offer major chronological reference point