Excavations reveal mosaics from an early phase of the Elbasan Basilica

Mosaics from an early phase of the Paleochristian Basilica in Elbasan have been discovered during the first weeks of the 2026 excavation season, as part of the research project, bringing new data on the history of one of the most important centers of late antiquity along the Via Egnatia.

"We are finally getting to the earliest phase of the church by uncovering the mosaics of this previously undiscovered floor. This is the novelty of the moment now," said archaeologist Elio Hobdari.

The discovery is helping researchers better understand the phases of construction and use of the monument, which has been at the center of archaeological research in Elbasan for years. The basilica has gone through several phases of transformation, while the new findings are enriching its chronology and shedding light on the development of Scampis during the 5th-6th centuries AD, when the city experienced an important period of urban and religious development.

"Discovering the mosaic was somewhat of a surprise, the quality is very good. They are very well preserved, also because other floors were built on top of them, so they have been very well preserved," Hobdari said in an interview with the media from the area where the excavations are taking place.

The Paleochristian Basilica is located near the “Kala” neighborhood in the heart of Elbasan, in an area where the city’s historical layers continue to surface through ongoing archaeological research. The monument is considered one of the most important of this period for the city and has been attracting the attention of researchers for years for its research potential.

This year's excavations are taking place within the framework of the project "Roman-Byzantine Quarter Outside the Walls of Castrum Scampis - Paleochristian Basilica", a project of the Institute of Archaeology. According to the research team, the goal is to identify the phases of construction and use of the monument, as well as a more complete understanding of the urban, economic and cultural development of Scampis.

Research to date shows that the church has had at least two significant reconstructions of a high architectural and artistic level. The inscriptions that have been discovered over the years, in Latin and Greek, suggest the coexistence of different cultural traditions in the ancient city, while the mention of deaconesses in some of them continues to attract the interest of scholars.

Another element that is attracting the attention of archaeologists is the possible extent of the complex. The area excavated so far may only represent a part of the site, while future research is expected to provide a clearer picture of its real dimensions.

"It definitely extends further than we see. The spot that is excavated extends to the north and just below the square," Hobdari said.

The archaeological complex has coexisted for decades with another well-known symbol of the city, the Bezistan Plain, a natural monument and a reference point for many generations. In this part of the city, natural and cultural heritage intertwine in the same space, creating one of the richest areas with historical values ​​in Elbasan.

Although the excavation season has just begun, the first discoveries are confirming the great potential of the site. For researchers, the mosaics that have come to light represent not only an archaeological find, but an opportunity to better understand the history of Scampi and the role that this center played in the network of cities that developed along the Via Egnatia.

The Paleochristian Basilica, discovered in 2007 near the center of Elbasan, is considered one of the most important monuments of early Christianity in the city and has been the subject of archaeological research for years.

As research continues, each new layer discovered beneath the basilica's floors seems to bring with it another piece of Elbasan's hidden history./ Amfora.al