Archaeological excavations continue at Argjiro Castle in Gjirokastra. The first findings include traces of a tower from the Late Antiquity period.

Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, announced today that the discoveries reveal early construction phases of Gjirokastra Castle.

“The excavations also uncovered the skeleton of a horse and a warrior beside it,” said Kumbaro. Archaeologists also found objects from the Middle and Late Bronze Age.

During the final stage of the dig, experts identified the skeletal remains of a man inside a Late Antiquity wall, along with a nearby horse skeleton.

According to archaeologists, the structure likely dates to an early fortification phase, possibly the 6th century AD. Later, it was damaged and reused as a foundation for medieval buildings.

Although final conclusions will depend on further anthropological and stratigraphic analysis, the position of the man and horse—possibly a warrior and his mount—adds to the site’s historical significance and raises new questions about funerary practices of the time.

This season’s discoveries are expected to shed more light on the region’s early history.

/a.c/