Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images today on social media of the archaeological excavations currently underway in Qesarat.

“Archaeological excavations are underway in Qesarat, Tepelena, as part of the ‘Landscape Archaeology in the Memaliaj–Tepelena Area and Surroundings 2026’ project. Residential spaces and two partially damaged mosaics—thought to date to the 3rd century—are being brought to light. There is work now to document, clean, and conserve these discoveries, which shed light on the lifestyle and history of this area in antiquity,” wrote Rama.

These discoveries provide significant evidence regarding the development of the settlement and the lives of the communities that inhabited this area during ancient times.

Current efforts are focused on documenting the discovered structures and materials, alongside cleaning and conserving the mosaics for future research. This work will help determine the exact function of the structures and better define their archaeological context.

The excavations at Qesarat are part of efforts to document and highlight the archaeological heritage of the Memaliaj–Tepelena area, a territory with significant historical and cultural potential.

Every new fieldwork discovery deepens our understanding of the region’s history, opening doors for further research and enhancing its appeal as a cultural heritage destination. /k.s/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Dating from the 4th century BC to the Late Middle Ages, these artifacts highlight a site of prolonged human activity. The evidence suggests a historical settlement of ongoing importance, making it a prime candidate for further archaeological study.

Archaeological discoveries in the village of Xengë expand the understanding of the Divjaka territory’s rich history, providing fresh evidence of continuous human habitation across multiple eras.

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This project leverages advanced technologies—including drones, LiDAR, geophysics, and WebGIS—to map, model, and analyze the ancient city of Lissus. By creating detailed 3D documentation, we aim to uncover new data and refine the understanding of Illyrian proto-urban development.

Prof.dr. Neritan Ceka, chairman of the Archaeology Commission and project leader, presented a new perspective on the urbanization process of the Illyrian city of Lissus, together with dr. Elio Hobdari and dr. Ervin Kujtila.

Further on, prof. assoc. dr. Edmond Hoxha, dr. Elva Leka and msc. Erland Alla presented the results of mapping and documentation of the archaeological site of Lissus through GIS and WebGIS technologies.

Key presentations included 3D reconstructions of Lissus (Dr. Pekmezi & MSc. Kuqali) via LIDAR and VR, alongside subsoil analysis using non-invasive geophysical techniques (Dr. Karriqi & Prof. Alikaj).

Dr. Paulin Zefi highlighted the project’s innovative approach to cultural tourism development, i.e. integrating archaeological heritage into local cultural tourism by connecting ancient Lissus with the contemporary community.

At the conclusion of the presentations and discussions, Marsela Robo, Director of National Programs at the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation positively assessed the results of the project rather interesting in stimulating scientific debate. She emphasized that the innovations of this project are related to the use of new technologies, their impact on the development of archaeological tourism and the broad involvement of research institutions, businesses and associations in the process. Robo promised support and cooperation from the National Agency of Scientific Research and Innovation for the provision of scientific research infrastructure of public higher education, in service of the Academy of Sciences, its institutes and other research centers. /j.p/p.s./

Chairman of the Permanent Archaeology Commission, Prof. Dr. Neritan Ceka expressed in his remarks his appreciation for archaeologists Hasan Ceka, Dhimosten Budina and Bep Jubani, describing them as prominent researchers and visionaries who built the science of Albanian archaeology on solid foundations.

Ceka presented the life and work of archaeologist Hasan Ceka, the founder of Albanian archaeology, as well as of Illyrian numismatics as a scientific discipline of the study of ancient coins.

Further on, Prof. Dr. Ilir Gjipali made a presentation of the life and work of archaeologist Dhimosten Budina (1930-2004).

Prof. Budina graduated from Moscow University in classical archaeology. He worked in the Archaeology Sector of the Institute of Sciences (today the Institute of Archaeology of the Albanian Academy of Sciences) until 1992. He collaborated with the team of Russian archaeologists in the excavations at Apollonia. In 1959, together with the Russian colleague Kastanajan, they began excavations in Orik, where they managed to discover a complex monument in the city center, estimated at that time as a small theater of the 4th century BC.

He led long-term research in three main centers of Kaonia in Antigone, Butrint and Finiq.

Later on, Academician Adem Bunguri, director of the Institute of Archaeology, presented the life and work of archaeologist Bep Jubani, who represents one of the most important researchers of the second generation of Albanian prehistoric archaeology. He made a broad contribution to the cultural reconstruction of Albanian prehistory, which also includes the research of a number of settlements (Gajtan, Rosujë, Kodra e Pazarit, Kamnik), of entire cultural-archaeological landscapes (the Black Drin valley, the Mbishkodra area and in the methodology of archaeological study.

Prof. Bep Jubani has brought to light not only a large number of monuments and archaeological sites, enriching the cultural map of the country, but has also illuminated the long and rich history of many regions of Albania.

The research results of prof. Hasan Ceka, prof. Bep Jubani and prof. Dhimosten Budina remain important references for young researchers and archaeologists in their work, to deepen and further develop them. Their contributions are part of the heritage fund of Albanian archaeology. /e.r/ /a.g/p.s./

Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Shkodra said that there was an Albanian-French research project led by archaeologists Etleva Nallbani and Elvana Metalla.

The purpose of the project is to document the structures of the medieval city and explore an upper city.

The project has been a cooperation with Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Shkodra and has been going on for years with a focus on the medieval residents of the area, the funeral practice and the interregional exchanges.

In context of the research, there was carried out even the cleaning of the territory from the dense vegetation.

The archaeological researches are being held in context of the project: Drini Valley in Medieval Times”, which is realized by École française de Rome, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Ministère de l’Europe et des affaires étrangères, INRAP, Institute of Archaeology, in cooperation with the University of Tirana and Shkodra Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage. /a.f//r.e/p.s./

“Great news for Albanian archaeology,” Albania’s National Cultural Heritage Institute said as it announced the news about the leading international science prize.

The Institute said that the project, lead by Michael L. Galatey and Lorenc Bejko, focuses on the study of changes to the settlements and social behaviours from Prehistory to the present day.

Project results include reports on the regional survey and test excavations at three settlements and three tumuli, the artefacts, including chipped stone and pottery from the prehistoric to the post-medieval periods, as well as results of faunal, petrographic, chemical, carpological, and strontium isotope analyses.

The findings are essential to efforts to advance archaeological excavations.

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Prefect of Korça region Nertil Jole personally visited the works of the Albanian-French archaeological expedition there and gave the news in the social media.

The recent research efforts of the Albanian-French team led by Dr. Rovena Kurti Ruka (Institute of Archeology) and prof. Armelle Gardeisen (University of Montepellier) have brought to light the first archaeological evidence of a hill settlement above the village of Barç, known by the local people as the “Barç Castle”. During this expedition, there are being discovered architectural traces of different periods, indicating continuous habitation in this place during the Iron Age and the Illyrian Civil Age, about 2800 years ago.

Prefect Jole said that the researchers engaged in the project will bring data from different aspects of the life of the community located in this settlement, which offers another tourist potential for the region of Korça and beyond./p.s./

The project aimed at identifying potential archaeological sites and documenting cultural heritage assets in the hilly area of ​​Divjaka. This project was supported by the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation as well as the University of Tirana, in framework of the Pact for the University and at the proposal of the municipality of Divjaka.

The specialists of the Institute were also accompanied in this observation project by the specialists of the Historical Museum of Lushnja. The rich results of the campaign on the ground will be followed by a systematic process of analysis of the findings and the formulation of a concrete strategy for the management and promotion of an asset that seems to be little known until today. /r.e/p.s./

Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Vlora recently shared in the social media some details from this cultural monument. Thus, from the archaeological research, there have been identified 6 entrances in the fortification wall of the ancient city of Amantia.

Some of them have also vaulted corridors. Such was the southeast entrance, or entrance no. 6, as known in archaeological writings.

One of the arches of this entrance was restored in 1990 by restorer Lazër Papajani and archaeologist Burhan Dautaj. Thanks to restoration, the present-day visitors to the archaeological park of Amantia have a good taste of the entrance which has become rather perceptible.

From a visual point of view, it has become a symbol of the archaeological park and is now one of the main attractions on the visit itinerary.

The architecture of the entrance, framed in a wild mountain landscape, is a beautiful appealing postcard to visit the archaeological park of Amantia./r.e/p.s./

The ancient tomb, discovered in April of this year, has simple architecture and the remains of an individual were found inside it. The inventory of the discovery consisted of fragmented ceramic objects as well as metal objects, where it is worth highlighting the presence of a spear tip.

From preliminary estimates, the tomb is thought to date back to the century IV-III BC. The objects will be treated by conservation specialists at the National Institute of Cultural Heritage.

According to Regional Directorate of Culture Heritage Vlora, the discovery was made in Fetah Derraj’s olive grove, in Dushkarak, while he was working the land. During the tillage of the land, the tiller of the tractor had dug out a grave, inside which an amphora had emerged, which was handed over to the specialists of Regional Directorate of Culture Heritage Vlora./p.s./