TIRANA, Aug  2 /ATA/- The Academy of Albanian Studies as well as the Apollonia National Archaeological Park announced that archaeological excavations will be carried out in Apollonia of Illyria for a month.

The Institute of Archeology in partnership with the École Normale Supérieure Paris/France, the French School of Athens (EfA) and the French School of Rome (EfR) will carry out the archaeological research at Apollonia.

In addition to the excavations in the area of ​​the north-eastern gate, the project aims to continue the study of the fortifications, through the topographical and photogrammetric surveys.

This project is co-directed by Belisa Muka and Stephane Verger, with the participation of archaeologists and researchers from collaborating institutions and students from the Department of Archeology and Cultural Heritage of the University of Tirana.

Among the 24 cities throughout the Mediterranean world that bore this name in Antiquity, Apollonia of Illyria stood out and played a major role as a commercial intermediary between the Hellenes and the Illyrians.

Apollonia was at that time a large and important city near the river Aoos (Vjosë). It is estimated that the city had about 60,000 inhabitants, a record figure for Antiquity.

Apollonia is located 12 kilometers from the city of Fier. The city was named after  the god Apollo.

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