Ancient inscription discovered in Rozafa fortress

TIRANA, Sept. 28 – An Albanian-Polish expedition team has discovered an ancient inscription believed to data back to the 1st century B.C in the Rozafa fortress in the city of Shkodra, northern Albania.
Nikolin Shati, the director of the Shkodra archeological park, which also includes the Rozafa castle, says preliminary examinations show the inscription found in one of the fortress’ water systems is believed to show the text of a legal act belonging to the fall of the Illyrian empire and its occupation by the Romans.
“This is the first document of this period and is a very good signal for archaeological excavations in the area of Shkodra, which makes us optimistic that Albanian and foreign archaeologists will make other important discoveries,” added Shati.
Further light on the object will be shed in France where the inscription will undergo further examination by the Archeological Institute.
Situated on a rocky hill, just before entering the northwestern city of Shkodra, the Rozafa castle is surrounded by the Buna and Drini rivers. Shkod철is the capital of the District of Shkod첬 and is one of Albania’s oldest and most historic towns, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. It was an Illyrian stronghold until it was captured by the Romans in 167 BC.
The 19th century German author and explorer Johann Georg von Hahn suggested that the ancient and medieval city of Shkodra was located immediately south of the Rozafa hill, between the hill and the confluence of Buna and Drini. The fortifications, as they have been preserved to date, are mostly of Venetian origin.
The castle also boasts a famous legend about a woman who was buried in the foundation of the castle.