Frano Prendi, an archaeologist and specialist in the prehistoric period, was born in Shkodër and is recognized as one of the founders of Albanian archaeology. He completed high school in his hometown and pursued higher education, graduating in archaeology from the University of Sofia in 1951. The same year, he began working at the Institute of Sciences in Albania. Prendi was a co-author of significant works including “Historia e Shqipërisë” (“History of Albania”) vol. I (1959), “Historia e popullit shqiptar” (“History of the Albanian People”) vol. I (2002), and “Les Illyriens” (“The Illyrians”) (Tirana, 1985). He also contributed to the volume “Iliria dhe ilirët tek autorët antikë” (“Illyrians and Illyria among Ancient Authors”) (1965). As an initiator of early research in Albanian prehistory, he led excavations at several important prehistoric sites, including Maliqi, Kamnik, Podgoria, Blazi, Sovjani, and the tumulus cemeteries of Mati, Mjeda, Vajzë, and Dropull. Between 1958 and 1960, he excavated the ancient city of Apollonia. His prolific scientific output includes numerous articles, reports, and studies such as “Neoliti dhe Eneoliti në Shqipëri” (“Neolithic and Eneolithic in Albania”), “Epoka e Bronzit në Shqipëri” (“Bronze Age in Albania”), and “Unitet dhe veçori në kulturën ilire të kohës së hekurit në Shqipëri” (“Unity and Peculiarities in the Illyrian Culture of the Iron Age in Albania”), among others. His discovery of the Illyrian town of Irmaj (in Gramsh) and extensive excavations in the Illyrian-Albanian city of Lezha significantly contributed to research in ancient Illyrian and medieval studies. Additionally, Prendi served as an external lecturer in archaeology at the University of Tirana. He was honored with the “Grand Master” order and the Medal of Honor from the “Collège de France.” Frano Prendi passed away in 2011. (In the photo: Frano Prendi)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 3, Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 2080-2081.
Photo: © https://sot.com.al/english/kultura/
Graphic processing: AHCF
