The hidden secret of Albania? Underwater archeology!

Albania is a country of great archaeological and cultural heritage, a great part of which is hidden under water. Almost 10 years ago, an archaeological Albanian-American expedition was carried out, a detailed search in Albanian waters shedding light from antiquity to the present day. This expedition of the Marine Archeology Department at the Albanian Institute of Archeology in collaboration with the Maritime Foundation RPM, was among the 10 best expeditions in the world by the prestigious magazine "Archeology" in America. Thanks to advanced technology, treasures are discovered that shed light on the history of the Mediterranean and Albania itself. The multi-bean technology used only by specialized institutions of the navy, was applied for the first time in archaeological discoveries. According to the director of the Coastal National Agency Mr. Auron Tare, the amount of information collected is too large and tracks go back to the 7th century BC, until shortly after World War II. The artifacts found in Albanian waters of the southwestern coast help to confront facts with history. From Saranda to Vlora, i.e one third of the coast, the expedition has taken place in Illyrian and Epirus waters in partnership with Albanian institutions and has developed three-dimensional maps of the seabed. This way Albania becomes one of the first countries in the Mediterranean with an accurate map of all historical and archaeological relics in its waters. 38 sunken ships were found in the Ionian Sea during the expedition, of which 6 are more than two thousand years old. These 3D maps will be handed over to the police, in order to exercise control and prevent diving in certain areas to protect this heritage. Albania has signed the UNESCO Convention on the protection of underwater cultural heritage, however ghost divers and expeditions self-called "scientific" with no permission and the control of the Ministry of Culture, the only authority managing this heritage, carry out diving in historical and archeological relics. The systematic theft of this part of heritage is alarming. Albania is classified as an outstanding place for underwater discoveries, but paradoxically Albanian legislation lacks the protection of this underwater asset. The underwater search is a new scientific discipline in Albania, as a result, this infrastructure is lacking. There is no conservation and restoration laboratory in Albania and no museum to display these artifacts which would bring another attraction in Albania, underwater tourism.