The visitor with only a general interest in prehistory and the ancient world may find the excellent exhibits from these periods in the "National Historical Museum" in Skanderbeg Square sufficient for their needs, particulary as that museum contains what are generally accepted to be the finest ancient works of art discovered in Albania, such as the "Goddess of Butrint".

But there is much of interest here,and it is well worth a visit(opening times 10.00-16.00daily). The museum is mainly notable for the richness of its Illyrian collection,which is the largest in the world.Much of it has been unearthed in exavations organised since the war at sites such as Zgerdhesh,Hollm,Rrisp and Gajtan.The layout and lighting of this museum are exellent.

Enter through a glass door in the main entrance hall, to Room 1, past a bookstall and souvenir shop on the left. Publikation of Illyria and other journals has now resumed. On the right are a number of examples of Byzantine stone carvings on columns,and a 2CAD statue of lion,from apollonia.

Room 1 contains material from the New Stone Age in Albania,flints,ceramics bone needles and other items from Cakran and Dunavec. Other display material from the New stone age from Kamnikand Maliq,including the first human images found in Albania,small carved female deities,and carved deer antlers.

Room 2 is devoted to the Bronze age,case 1,ceramics and Weapons from Cinemak and Pazhok,Case 2 the Iron age with material,mainly swords,daggers,a tripod,spear heads and other weapons,from Kuci i Zi ,Barc,Rapcke.