The town of Divjake sits in Fier County in the southwest of Albania, just over an hours drive from the capital of Tirana. A Picturesque spot, its highlight was the Divjake Karavasta National Park- a place of outstanding natural beauty characterised by its diverse wetlands, salt marshes, lagoons, and Illyrian deciduous forests. Rich with flora and fauna, it also features the Lagoon of Karavasta and the surrounding area is home to 228 species of birds, 25 species of mammals, 29 species of amphibian, and 29 species of reptiles.
For many years, this part of the country has been popular with tourists and locals who flock there to enjoy the peace, calm, and incredible diversity of the nature that prevails there.
To the southeast of the national park, nestled between Remas and Gradisht lies the small and unassuming hamlet of Babunja, which this week found itself catapulted into the local news.
A team of Albanian and German archaeologists discovered an ancient settlement that they believe dates from the second half of the 6thCentury BC. The team worked tirelessly for several months, excavating a range of residential houses, roads, and exterior walls that they believe is proof of people living in the area up until the 3rdCentury BC.
One of the archaeologists from the University of Berlin, Manual Fidler stated that the aim of the project is to create a comprehensive map of ancient ruins that can be found all over Albania.
“We are trying to understand who lived here between Apollonia and Dyrrah, and who built this settlement. It is the first time that we do research in the area in Divjaka”, he told the press.
From what has been discovered so far, Fidler has been able to ascertain that they are grouped in a perfect urban organisation and that the main road of the settlement was linked to as many as 15 others. But they have not finished yet and further excavations are expected to continue over the following months.
Follow The Balkanista!
