Published on
November 18, 2025
In the summer of 2025, a group of determined and passionate students from Sweet Briar College embarked on an extraordinary journey to Albania. With their academic goals in mind, they participated in the Matohasanaj Archaeological Project, a hands-on fieldwork experience like no other. This project, led by Dr. Erin Pitt, Assistant Professor of Archaeology, offers students a chance to not only conduct real archaeological digs but also contribute to understanding ancient history through immersive research. Through their summer excavation, Sweet Briar students uncovered ancient secrets that have the potential to reshape our knowledge of Albania’s ancient past.
A Unique Opportunity: Exploring Ancient Albania
Sweet Briar College’s archaeology and ancient studies program is more than just a classroom-based learning experience. It gives students an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and dive deep into historical research. The Matohasanaj Archaeological Project is a two-year ongoing collaboration between Sweet Briar and Albanian archaeologists. This unique partnership invites students to take part in actual archaeological digs, exploring monumental structures and uncovering artefacts that have remained hidden for centuries.
In the summer of 2025, three ambitious students, Arin Armistead ’25, Alyssa O’Quinn ’26, and Bella Perdue ’28, took part in this groundbreaking archaeological fieldwork. Led by Dr. Pitt and other seasoned archaeologists, the team set their sights on uncovering new insights about the ancient world of Albania, particularly from the Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE) and later periods.
Digging into History: A Hands-On Experience
Fieldwork in archaeology isn’t just about digging holes in the ground. It is a meticulous process of careful excavation, documenting, and analysing artefacts that can shed light on the lives of people from thousands of years ago. For the Sweet Briar students, their work was both physically demanding and intellectually stimulating. According to Arin Armistead, the process of digging trenches and scraping through layers of soil was not just about finding ancient relics. It was about the soothing rhythm of the task, and the opportunity to connect with the past in a deeply personal way. “It was only me, the dirt, and the ghosts of a nearly-forgotten society that I wanted to understand better,” Arin explained, reflecting on the emotional aspect of the work.
The students were tasked with uncovering remnants of a monumental building from the Hellenistic period. Last year, another team of students had focused on understanding the structure’s full extent. This year’s team continued that work by digging deeper into the layers of soil, searching for clues that would reveal the building’s original purpose, its later use, and its re-occupation in subsequent centuries.
Unveiling the Past: Discoveries and Artefacts
Throughout their excavation, the Sweet Briar students worked alongside a team of experts, including Dr. Sabina Veseli, co-director of the project, Dr. Emily Glass, project officer for Archaeology Wales, and Mirgen Shametaj, field supervisor. Together, they carefully removed the latest soil deposits and rubble that had accumulated over the centuries. Their efforts were focused on uncovering the original floor surfaces of the ancient building, which had been buried for centuries under layers of earth and time.
The results of their hard work were nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did the students recover extensive evidence of architectural remains, but they also discovered artefacts that shed light on the daily lives of the people who once inhabited this fortress. These findings included a carved stone relief sculpture of a male and female figure, which is believed to date from the Late Roman or Late Antique period (4th to 7th centuries CE). This is a remarkable discovery, as such artefacts are rare in this region and provide valuable insights into the cultural and artistic practices of the time.
In addition to the relief sculpture, the team found extensive evidence of textile production. This discovery suggests that the site was not only a place of monumental public use but also a hub of industrial activity. The presence of textile-working areas, post holes for later building phases, and hearths or cooking surfaces all point to the complex nature of life at this ancient site.
A Significant Find: The Mystery of the Wasters
One of the most intriguing discoveries made by the Sweet Briar team was a significant amount of warped or poorly formed pottery, known as “wasters.” These imperfect pottery pieces suggest that a pottery kiln or local pottery production site may have been located very close to the excavation area. This discovery is important because the type of pottery found at the site appears to be unique to this region and has never been seen on a wide scale. The identification of this local pottery production site could have far-reaching implications for our understanding of ancient trade and craftsmanship in Albania.
As Dr. Pitt, the project’s lead archaeologist, explained, the identification of this production site would be a monumental breakthrough. “We believe we have a very distinctive local ware that is used at the site that has not been seen on a wide scale and has no known origin,” Dr. Pitt said. This discovery not only adds to our understanding of ancient production techniques but also suggests that Albania played an important role in local manufacturing during the Late Antique and Byzantine periods.
The Byzantine Connection: Re-Occupation of the Fortress
The findings from the Matohasanaj Archaeological Project are particularly significant because they provide valuable information about the re-occupation of the fortress during the Late Antique and Byzantine periods. The fortress, which was originally built during the Hellenistic period, had been largely abandoned by the time the Roman Empire began to weaken. However, the Sweet Briar team’s excavation uncovered evidence of a renewed interest in the fortress during the decline of the Roman Empire. This suggests that the fortress may have experienced a renaissance, with people returning to the site as a place of refuge in the face of invasion and economic decline.
The team discovered a previously unknown entrance through the fortress’s massive defensive walls, which had been reworked and narrowed during this later period. This entrance is significant because it provides further evidence of the fortress’s continued importance long after its initial construction. The discovery of monumental architecture and evidence of public use, combined with signs of daily industrial activities, paints a picture of a thriving and bustling community that once occupied the site.
The Educational Impact: Learning Beyond the Classroom
The fieldwork experience in Albania was not only an academic achievement for the students but also an invaluable learning opportunity. For the Sweet Briar students, the Matohasanaj Archaeological Project allowed them to apply the theoretical knowledge they had gained in the classroom to real-world situations. This hands-on experience not only deepened their understanding of ancient history but also equipped them with practical skills that will serve them well in their future careers.
The program provides students with an immersive learning environment, where they spend 10-14 hours a day working side by side with professors and fellow students. This intense, focused work creates a unique opportunity for mentorship and intellectual growth. As Dr. Pitt proudly explained, “There is something very special about getting to do that fieldwork with your advisors and professors. It offers the opportunity to go from the often abstract and theoretical nature of learning the academic discipline of archaeology through textbooks, lectures, and slides, to getting your hands dirty and gaining real-life and marketable experience.”
For Sweet Briar students, this field school is not only a chance to gain practical archaeological experience but also a way to fulfil the major’s fieldwork requirement. The skills and knowledge gained through this experience will be invaluable as they continue their academic journey or pursue careers in archaeology, history, or related fields.
The Future of the Matohasanaj Archaeological Project
The discoveries made by the Sweet Briar students are just the beginning of what promises to be a long and fruitful journey of archaeological exploration in Albania. The Matohasanaj Archaeological Project has already made significant contributions to our understanding of ancient Albanian history, and there is still much more to be uncovered. As Dr. Pitt noted, the project provides a rare opportunity for students to engage in cutting-edge research while also contributing to the broader field of archaeological knowledge.
For the students who participated in the excavation, this experience was a life-changing one. They not only learned valuable archaeological techniques and gained insights into ancient history, but they also formed lasting bonds with their professors and fellow students. Through this immersive field school, Sweet Briar students are not only uncovering the past but also shaping their future careers in archaeology and beyond.
As they continue to explore the rich history of Albania, the Sweet Briar archaeology program remains at the forefront of archaeological research and education, offering students unparalleled opportunities to discover, learn, and grow. The discoveries made in Albania are just one example of how Sweet Briar students are helping to shape the future of archaeology and contribute to our understanding of the ancient world.
Sweet Briar College’s archaeological field school in Albania is a groundbreaking program that offers students a unique opportunity to explore and uncover the secrets of the ancient world. Through their work on the Matohasanaj Archaeological Project, Sweet Briar students have not only gained invaluable hands-on experience but have also contributed to a deeper understanding of Albania’s rich and complex history. With each discovery, they are helping to rewrite the past and uncover new insights into the lives of the people who once inhabited this fascinating region. This immersive, real-world experience has the potential to inspire future generations of archaeologists and historians, making it an essential part of Sweet Briar’s commitment to providing students with an exceptional education.
