Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced that an Albanian-German-Romanian archaeological mission—in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology in Tirana and the Winckelmann Institute at Humboldt University of Berlin—is continuing its investigations in this archaeological site.

According to Gonxhja, the excavations have made it possible to determine the complete ground plan of the temple, while the discovery of spolia in the foundation provides evidence of a structure dating back to before the 4th century BC.

Furthermore, architectural fragments and marble roof tiles uncovered during the research attest to the significance and unique character of this Doric-style monument, which once stood above the river port of the ancient city of Apollonia. These findings represent a significant contribution to expanding knowledge regarding the urban development, architecture and history of Apollonia—one of the most important centers of ancient civilization within Albanian territory.

Gonxhja stated that the research results facilitate a more comprehensive understanding and documentation of this archaeological heritage, while also helping to convey its history to both domestic and international visitors.

Archaeological excavations and discoveries made a few years ago provide authentic evidence of an ancient temple—dating back approximately 2,500 years—whose foundation remains entirely intact; initial estimates suggest it covers an area of ​​about 1,000 square meters. It served as a site for religious observances, ranking among the most significant temples in the region.

Regarding the column that gave its name to the village of Shtyllas in Fier, it is estimated that the associated structure covers an area of ​​approximately 1,000 square meters. It served as a site for religious observances for the ancient city of Apollonia, standing as one of the most important temples in the region—a status further underscored by its proximity to the city’s river port. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

According to the National Institute of Cultural Heritage, during November, the archaeologists from the Directorate of the Archaeological Service at the National Institute of Cultural Heritage, with the support of Mirdita municipality, carried out rescue excavations in the area of Upper Kthella.

The archaeological data from this area, accompanied by a rich and significant toponymy, testify to human activity starting from the Early Iron Age to that of Late Antiquity.

The Institute said that there will continue the archaeological research and exploration while there are expected important results for the recognition and discovery of the treasures of the cultural heritage of Mirdita area and beyond. /j.p/r.e/p.s./

The University of Bern and the Institute of Archaeology confirm Lin as the oldest stilt-dwelling settlement in Europe.

A four-year collaboration between Swiss and Albanian archaeologists successfully concluded the first phase 2021-2025, qualifying the site near Lin, in Pogradec, as the oldest stilt-dwelling settlement in Europe.

Swiss Ambassador to Albania, Ruth Huber, on Friday praised the commitment of the Albanian side and emphasized the importance of this project both in terms of science and cooperation between the two countries.

She emphasized that this scientific initiative of the University of Bern is a collaboration that also increases the capacities of Albanian scientific institutions.

“The excavations have once again yielded very good results. We can confirm that this is the oldest settlement in Europe with preserved wood and organic materials and it is very special because the findings are very promising,” said Professor Albert Hafner from the University of Bern, team leader.

The Swiss professor described the Lin site as one of the best-preserved sites in Europe and of exceptional value for understanding the beginnings of civilization on the continent.

“We have found abundant archaeological material, both at the ceramic level and in terms of tools, bones, and stone,” said archaeologist Adrian Anastasi.

During the latest mission, teams of archaeologists have conducted research both along the shores of the Lake and underwater. Some of the findings include excavation of land trenches, more wooden pillars of houses, archaeological ceramic layers decorated with impressions – one of the earliest forms of pottery. This proves the connection of the Lin site with the Adriatic coast, a new fence that brings the number of surrounding (protective) rings of the site to five.

The findings also include large piles of pine trees are discovered, which are thought to be the remains of one or more houses. For the first time the tree ring chronologies of the Lin site match those of Ohrid – dendrochronology is working for wider distances. Archaeologists have also confirmed that Lin covers 2,000 years of settlement history and at least 10-12 different phases or villages over the time span of 6,000 – 4,000 BC.

The discoveries in Lin and Buqezë are attracting the attention of international experts and European cultural institutions, turning the area into a reference point for archaeological research and Albanian cultural heritage.

This project, beyond its scientific values, also represents a bridge of cooperation between Albania and Switzerland in promoting the historical wealth of the region.

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The excavations were launched a few weeks ago by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology at the University of Tirana and the History Museum in Lushnja.

These are the first excavations in the area and a basilica, some early coins, a granite column and skeletal remains have been unearthed, thought to belong to various periods, from the Hellenistic to the late Middle Ages.

Archaeology students are assisting the mission to document the finds in the site.

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In the second week of September, the Albanian-Italian project (Institute of Archeology of Tirana and University of Bologna, Italy), has resumed the archaeological excavations in the Archeological Park of Finiq for the 25th year in a row.

The excavations this year are concentrated in two sectors, in the sector of the agora, where the excavations are aimed at discovering the main buildings and streets of this area, as well as in the sector above the staircase of the ancient theater, where there are thought to be located the ruins of a religious monument.

As always, the excavations will be accompanied by precautionary conservation measures, in cooperation with the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Vlora.

The Ancient City of Finiq is located 10 km southwest of Delvina, on a hill next to the village of Finiq. The Ancient City of Finiq, also known as Phoenice, is an ancient Illyrian city and the capital of the Kaons. It is also the place where there was drawn up the Treaty of Phoenice, which ended the First Macedonian War. /p.s./

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja said that after an interruption, the excavations on the ground and under water, near the village of Buqeze in Pogradec, have resumed, bringing to light new elements.

The results of 2023 as well as the data of the archaeological material collected at the University of Geneva in Switzerland with the support of the University of Oxford in England, list the Lin 3 palafit settlement as the oldest settlement of this typology in Europe.

The impressive results of the study of the archaeological material convinced the researchers to intensify the research during the year 2024.

“During this season, the archaeologists will focus on deepening knowledge on the extent of this settlement, the complexity of construction, as well as its connections with archaeological sites of the same period in the Korça basin,” said Gonxhja.

Evaluating the significance of this archaeological discovery, the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation and the National Institute of Cultural Heritage are working on preparation of the decision to protect and declare it an archaeological area, which is expected to be finalized within 2024.

Last year, Albanian and Swiss archaeologists found new materials in context of their several years of research in Lin i Pogradec, which speak of the earliest lake settlement in Europe.

According to laboratory analysis, the wooden remains of the houses discovered in the water date back to around 6000 to 5800 BC. The settlement is believed to have consisted of houses built on wooden poles that housed 200 to 500 inhabitants. /k.s/p.s./

The project is collaboration between the Institute of Archeology and Sweet Briar College University, USA, co-led by Sabina Veseli and Erin Pitt, focusing on surveys and research at the Matohasanaj fort and its surroundings. Lidar-type methodology is being used for this project while there will be drawn up an integrated settlement plan.

Also, the excavations carried out so far have brought to light a building, which in terms of plan and construction technique seems to have a public character.

In cooperation with the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage Gjirokastra, which manages the fort, the project aims to expand the map of the monuments of the Tepelena area./p.s./

The archaeological excavations were taking place in the territory administered by Vlora Regional Heritage Directorate.

The temple dedicated to Emperor Octavian Augustus came to light in the course of the excavation of the public cistern. The conducted surveys confirmed that it was dedicated to Emperor Octavian.

The team of archaeologist thought that it dates back to the late antiquity.

The archaeological project is led by Dr. Olgita Ceka, Prof. Neritan Ceka and Prof. Skender Muçaj. The team also cooperates with the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Vlora, which contributes with its specialists to the progress of the archaeological excavation, but also to the preliminary conservation and restoration interventions.

This research campaign has focused on the monumental center and public monuments of the agora in the ancient city of Bylis./p.s./

What the archeological excavations are uncovering testify to monumental buildings which stood on terraces in the sloping area. The area is accessible to visitors who choose to visit the archaeological park of Finiq. In this park, in parallel with the archaeological excavations, there were carried out restoration interventions by the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage Vlora, as well as the entire infrastructure of the park was renewed with explanatory and orienting signs.

The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage Vlora invites archeology enthusiasts to take advantage of the presence of archaeologists during the month of September and visit the archaeological park of Finiq./p.s./

The unearthed blocks are the ruins of a Roman-era wall that could have collapsed because of a strong earthquake. According to archaeologists, their overall effect is impressive, as they resemble to the stones of a giant domino.

“Sector A11 is home to a series of impressive finds, including the completely collapse walls of a terrace,” the archaeological mission said via a post on the social media.

The Archeological Park of Finiq is an important cultural tourism destination attracting a growing number of both by local and foreign visitors and it value increases with the continued finds by the Italian-Albanian expedition.

The archaeological park of Finiq, once the center of Kaonia and since 234 BC the capital of Epirus, is located on a hill 283 m above sea level with a strategic position and a view of the entire valley of Vurg, to Butrint Lake.

The Archaeological Park of Finiq, only 8 km away from Saranda, with an area of ​​57 ha and an archaeological area of ​​150 ha was created in 2005. Recent excavations have confirmed its dating from the 5th century BC, while the theatre, the agora, can be visited, the ruins of a paleo-Christian basilica, temples, perimeter wall, dwellings, villas.

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