Excavations at the burial tumulus of Lofkënd in south-central Albania in 2005

Excavations were continued at the burial tumulus of Lofkënd in during the summer of 2005 (June 20-July 28) as a collaboration of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA, the ICAA and the Institute of Archaeology, Tirana. In the field 34 new graves were uncovered, primarily of the Early Iron Age, containing exciting new finds of pottery, bronze, iron, and even gold. The total number of tombs excavated in the course of the 2004 and 2005 seasons was 62, and at least four additional tombs were uncovered during the later stages of the campaign, but not yet excavated. A few early modern graves were also encountered in the northeast portion of the tumulus. The 2005 team also included the participation of a soil scientist, and two graduate students from the Experiential Technologies Center of the School of Architecture at UCLA working on digital three-dimensional model of the site within its landscape. Aerial photography from a machine-powered para-glider was carried out at the end of the season, and provided the first aerial photographs of a prehistoric tumulus in Albania. More lies beneath the surface, and we plan a third season to finish excavating this highly rewarding site.