Archaeological research in Albania is expanded

The leaders of the Institute of Archeology especially appreciate the cooperation with universities and the participation of students in these researches.

Albanian archeology has returned to intensive efforts for excavations and new research in archaeological centers, ancient cities and cultural heritage areas, after a difficult pandemic period where field missions were almost stopped.

The director of the Institute of Archaeology, Belisa Muka, tells the Voice of America that this year the scope is wider with over 30 projects and intensive work is being done.

“We have a great desire to do as many things as possible, of course to do them as well as possible, because quality is one of Whatthe main issues in these researches, but we are intensively involved from north to south, from east to west, from the earliest periods of human history to the later ones”. she says.

Ms. Muka mentions some of the areas that have been covered this year by the archaeological research that started in April and will continue until the fall.

“We were in the Kor basinWhates, we were in Bushat of Shkodra with the researches of the ancient period, we were in Finiq, in the Basilica of Elbasan. These are closed missions. We are currently speaking Whatthe Ajtoi University in Konispol of Saranda, meanwhile research has just started in the Amphitheater of Durrës and in parallel we will continue with all the projects and missions foreseen this year”. she says.

The director of the Institute of Archeology who also co-directs the research mission in the ancient city of Finiq, in the south of Albania, says that this year’s excavations brought new findings.

“At least for a period of 5 yearsWhatare we have been focused and continue to be in the same zone. While we are much clearer than Whatwhat does that area represent in relation to the public space where it lies and of which it speaks, which belongs to the Roman period. So we have an interesting city of Phoinike (today’s Phoenician) which in the Roman period was very active with a large-scale monument of a public nature where the most likely examples are the forums, these monumental assemblies typical of the Roman period.

Mrs. Muka especially appreciates the involvement of students from different universities in the archaeological missions.

“Students are distributed on the basis of a regular calendar in each expedition where, according to the project’s context and dynamics, they are an integral part and with specific tasks. This is very important not only to train professionally, but also to have a scientific responsibility for the research they carry out.

The rector of “Eqrem Çabej” University of Gjirokastra Bektash Mema says that the Drino Valley as one of the archaeological and cultural heritage centers is increasingly attracting not only the attention of archological circles, but also the involvement of the University.

“It is a very rich region with great cultural heritage values. The Drino Valley itself is an extraordinary natural laboratory and is always in need of studies. The university is trying to play its role in the development of the region“, says Mr. Mema.

Mr. Mema says that an agreement with the University of Ioannina in Greece and another with that of Mecerata in Italy aim to bring joint university programs in the field of cultural heritage and archaeology. The students’ internships and work will be carried out in the cultural and archaeological centers of the Drino Valley, he says.

Albania has many ancient cities and archaeological centers with great opportunities for new discoveries. The economic and financial situation, especially of research institutions, makes it even more difficult to carry out archaeological missions and scientific research.

One of the biggest challenges is the sustainable preservation and protection of the areas where excavations are carried out and their return to the service of tourists./Voa

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