A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in southeastern Albania is rewriting the history of prehistoric European civilization. A team of Albanian and Swiss archaeologists has uncovered new materials during multi-year excavations in the picturesque village of Lin, near Pogradec, pointing to what is now considered the oldest lakeside settlement in Europe.
According to laboratory analyses, the wooden remains of prehistoric dwellings found submerged under Lake Ohrid are estimated to date from between 8000 and 4000 BCE. These findings suggest that an organized community of hunters and early agriculturalists lived in this area as far back as 8,000 years ago — several centuries earlier than similar settlements previously discovered in Mediterranean and Alpine regions.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a segment from a recent BBC report highlighting the discovery. The report describes the Lin site as a major leap backward in time, surpassing the age of all other known lakeside communities in Europe.
"Archaeologists have uncovered what is believed to be the oldest lakeside settlement in Europe, on the shores of Lake Ohrid in Albania," the BBC reported. "Evidence shows that an organized community of hunters and farmers lived there up to 8,000 years ago."
In a statement accompanying the shared video, Prime Minister Rama emphasized the significance of the discovery. He noted that the joint Albanian-Swiss archaeological team continues to work daily, diving to depths of three meters to explore the underwater site.
“So far, less than 1% of what is believed to be part of this ancient settlement has been uncovered,” Rama wrote. “Researchers have found samples of wood, bones, pottery, and other materials that offer a window into the daily life and structure of this early society.”
The data collected so far indicates that the area served as a center for agriculture, craftsmanship, and fishing as early as 8,500 years ago. This makes the Lin settlement not only the oldest of its kind in Albania, but also the earliest lakeside village discovered in Europe.
The discovery is expected to attract further international attention and may lead to the inclusion of the Lin settlement in future UNESCO heritage discussions, alongside the already protected Lake Ohrid ecosystem.