In the hospital of Brussels, Frano Prendi passed away, an archaeologist, specialist in prehistoric periods, one of the founders of Albanian archaeology, and a professor. He was born in Shkodra in 1928. In his hometown, he completed high school. He pursued higher education and graduated in archaeology from the University of Sofia in 1951. In the same year, he began working at the Institute of Sciences. He is a co-author of works such as “Historia e Shqipërisë” (“History of Albania”) vol. I (1959), “Historia e popullit shqiptar” (“History of the Albanian People”) vol. I (2002), “Les Illyriens” (Tirana, 1985), and one of the preparers of the volume “Ilirët dhe Iliria tek autorët antikë” (“The Illyrians and Illyria in Ancient Authors”) (1965). He was a pioneer in early research in the field of Albanian prehistory, leading excavations at several important prehistoric sites, including Maliqi (where he played a leading role), Kamniku, Podgoria, Blazi, Sovjani (as co-director of the Albanian-French project), tumulus burials of Mat, Mjedë, Vajza, Dropull, etc. From 1958 to 1960, he excavated in the ancient city of Apollonia. His extensive scientific output is reflected in numerous articles, papers, and studies such as Neoliti dhe Eneoliti në Shqipëri” (“Neolithic and Eneolithic in Albania”), “Epoka e bronzit në Shqipëri” (“The Bronze Age in Albania”), “Unitet dhe veçori në kulturën ilire të kohës së hekurit në Shqipëri” (“Unity and Characteristics in the Illyrian Culture of the Iron Age in Albania”) “The Prehistory of Albania” (in “The Cambridge Ancient History” III, 1982). With the discovery of the Illyrian town of Irmajt (Gramsh) and through multi-year excavations in the Illyrian-Albanian city of Lezhë, Frano Prendi also contributed to the field of research on ancient Illyrian and medieval studies. Frano Prendi was an external lecturer in archaeology at the University of Tirana; an honorary member of the German Archaeological Institute; decorated with the “Grand Master” order and the Medal of Honor by the “Collège de France”. (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://www.gazetatema.net/2022/02/24/frano-prendi-themelues-i-arkeologjise-se-periudhes-se-prehistorise
Graphic processing: AHCF
