Air lime has been in continuous use by humans since prehistoric times, serving in construction, agriculture, and environmental applications. This project aimed to trace and document the traditional know-how of lime production through extensive fieldwork in Epirus and Southern Albania. This knowledge centered on the construction of lime kilns—temporary dry-stone, domed structures made of limestone—which were fired with wood for at least three days to produce quicklime. The research explored the technical knowledge, practices, and cultural dimensions of this craft in the recent past, as well as its evolution on both sides of the border.

Today, traditional lime-burning is on the verge of extinction. In Southern Albania, in a village of Korçë, one of the last traditional lime kilns in the Balkans is still in operation, where we documented all stages of the process. Using a multi-layered and multimedia methodology, the project developed a rich archive of more than 250 records—including architectural drawings, photographs, videos, interviews, field notes, and geospatial mappings—openly accessible through the EMKP repository.

The project highlights the value of studying traditional lime production and its contemporary relevance for natural resource management and architectural heritage. It advocates for the revival of small-scale traditional technologies in rural areas and the modern use of air lime in architecture and monument restoration, positioning it as a high-quality material and an environmentally and culturally coherent choice for the Balkans and the Mediterranean.

The project was first presented to the communities of Tzoumerka through an exhibition of the same title, hosted at the Historic Customs House of Plaka Bridge.