BY THE ARCHAEOLOGIST EDITOR GROUP
An important archaeological find in Kosovo disproves widespread beliefs and demonstrates that Byzantine Emperor Justinian was of Dardanian descent. The comprehension of the historical and cultural ramifications of this revelation is aided by Minister Eku's observations.
As new information shedding light on the antecedents of the renowned Byzantine Emperor Justinian becomes available, Kosovo's historical environment acquires a depth never before seen. An alliance of foreign and local researchers, spearheaded by Professor Christophe J. Goddard, has uncovered a gigantic inscription at the revered Ulpiana archaeological site. Along with enhancing Kosovo's understanding of the Byzantine legacy, Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora's dedication to the cause challenges long-held historical notions about the Dardanian people.
The Republic of Kosovo's Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Hajrulla eku, announced this amazing finding on Facebook on August 14, 2023. The minister's observations there provide a particularly authoritative perspective on this ground-breaking revelation.
At the intersection of important Roman thoroughfares, Ulpiana, an archaeological site in Kosovo close to Prishtina, comprised 35 hectares of ground. Its importance was a result of its location, connecting Thessaloniki, Dacia, and the Dalmatian coast. The city was an important stopover for travelers going between the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire and played a vital role during the Dacian conquest as part of Moesia Superior.
The place's name, Ulpiana, alludes to Trajan, who overcame Dacia. The city was noted by the geographer Ptolemy, and dedications from the second century attest to its standing as a municipality. It did not receive the same status as a Roman colony as its northern Dacian equivalent did from the emperor.
Professor Christophe J. Goddard and his alliance of international and local experts who unveiled the monumental inscription at the hallowed Ulpiana archaeological site. | Photo: Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports of the Republic of Kosovo, Hajrulla Çeku / Facebook
Ulpiana, which is about 11 kilometers southeast of Pristina, reappears as a hub of commercial, political, and cultural activities throughout the Roman period. Since 1954, this Roman-Illyrian city, whose origins date to the pre-Roman era, has been the subject of painstaking archaeological examination. The discovery of an inscription that reads "Urbem Dardania" recently casts doubt on the idea that Dardanians were fully absorbed into Roman society and serves as a powerful testament to Emperor Justinian's Dardanian ancestry.
The inscription's poignant defiance of historical presumptions is what gives it poignancy. The significance of this discovery is emphasized by Arben Hajdari, a renowned professor of archaeology at the University of Prishtina, who emphasizes that the inscription acts as a tangible link to the long-lasting identity of the Dardanian people. Emperor Justinian challenged the popular belief that Dardanians were being Romanized by donating an inscription to a city within Dardania. As the director of the Archaeological Park "Ulpiana," Milot Berisha underlines the need to preserve the inscription as evidence of the city's Dardanian origin.
Hajrulla Çeku visits the Ulpiana archaeological site along with Professor Christophe J. Goddard and team. | Photo: Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports of the Republic of Kosovo, Hajrulla Çeku / Facebook
As the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku's observations are included because they relate with the community's enthusiasm and capture the local pride surrounding this amazing finding.
The inscription serves as a moving plea for preservation amidst the frenzy. Researchers carefully catalog, examine, and safeguard this historical artifact to make sure that subsequent generations can continue to benefit from its lessons. The inscription pushes us to consider our own relationship to history and the value of preserving it. It does more than merely disclose the past.
The Emperor Justinian's inscription resonates not just through the ages, but also in the thoughts and hearts of those who discovered it. This finding, made under the direction of Professor Christophe J. Goddard, captures the core of history as a dynamic narrative. The archaeological exploration of Kosovo takes us outside the walls of the classroom and encourages us to engage with the past, question preconceptions, and safeguard the heritage for future generations. Ultimately, it is an inscription on the collective memory of humanity rather than just a writing on a stone.
