Newly Discovered Fourteenth Century AD Stationary Fishing Installations Near Nakolec, Lake Prespa (North Macedonia)

Abstract

During the systematic survey of the fields near the village of Nakolec, Lake Prespa (North Macedonia), we came across a series of wooden piles, brought to light by the fast-receding lake. The piles, situated in shallow waters were mapped and samples were taken for radiocarbon dating. The goal of this paper is to present the findings of this research and to discuss the possible functions of these clusters of piles and reconstructed buildings. The piles were not accompanied by any other archaeological material, so in order to understand them, it is necessary to consider the available historical and ethnographic evidence. On the basis of this evidence, it is argued that the newly discovered pile structures are the remains of fishing installations, with a distant parallel from the recent past at Lake Dojran/Doirani, North Macedonia and a possible closer one, at Small Prespa Lake, Greece.