Selim Islami, archaeologist, one of the founders of Albanian archaeology, professor, was born in Pandelejmon of Saranda. He finished the “Normal” school in Elbasan and completed the higher studies at the “Lomonosov” University in Moscow (1946-1951). He started working at the Institute of Sciences, then at the Institute of History, at the Institute of Archeology, where he worked until the end of his life. In 1956-1966, he was in charge of the archeology department at the Institute of History and Linguistics. Directed the works in the mounds of Mat (1952-1956) and then in other centers, such as: Gajtan, Pazhok, Xibër, Zgërdhesh, Butrint, etc. In the years 1958-1960, he led the research of the Albanian-soviet archaeological expedition in Apollonia. He is the author of a number of scientific articles; co-author of the works “Historia e Shqipërisë” (“The History of Albania”) vol. I (1959) and “Historia e popullit shqiptar” (“The history of the Albanian people”) vol. I (2002); responsible editor of the compilation “Ilirët dhe Iliria tek autorët antikë” (“The Illyrians and Illyria in the ancient authors”) and the book “Les Illyriens” (Tirana, 1985). In 1981-1985, he was the editor-in-chief of the magazine “Iliria”. In addition to the research and studies about the Illyrian cities, the basic object of his studies was the political history of the Illyrian State. As an external lecturer, he taught archeology and ancient history at the University of Tirana. With his scientific and managerial activity, he provided special help to illuminate the basic problems of archeology and the ancient history of our country. He passed away in Tirana, in 2001. (In the photo: Selim Islami)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 2 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 1049.
Photo: © https://www.mcntv.al/2023/03/17/muzeu-komb-tar-el-fotoekspozit-n-p-r-figur-n-e-arkeologut-selim-islami
Graphic processing: AHCF
