In front of us and the entire public today, we are exclusively presenting the valuable findings discovered at a locality in the Ohrid-Strusa region. The researched locality of this place represents a necropolis from the Archaic period (6th century BC), which in many ways resembles the far more famous Trebenishka necropolis, which is in the immediate vicinity. About 80 finds have been registered within the tomb complex, some of which are in front of us. The discoveries are the result of the last archaeological excavations that shed light on the life of civilizations that left traces of the past, but whose culture and influence are still significant for our understanding of the historical context, said the Minister of Culture, Zoran Ljutkov.

At a press conference called on the occasion of the discovery, it was emphasized that these are two tombs, one of which measures seven by four meters, five meters deep, which according to the artefact and the accessories found indicates that it belonged to a member of an elite family that ruled the region. at that time. Objects were found during the excavations of the Archaic necropolis from the sixth century BC at the site of Rasnica in the atar of the village of Korošishta in Struga.

What is very important, as pointed out by the archaeologist, Pero Arjanliev, is that one of the two tombs was discovered in its uncapped form, that is, opened for the first time after a period of over 2500 years. It is additionally important that the researches on the site are carried out by experts, in the best possible way according to all scientific procedures.

- Such finds are discovered once in a century and we call them epochal... The discovery is monumental, both in terms of the tomb itself, which in many respects surpassed the famous Trebenish Necropolis, but also in terms of the character of the finds... The tomb architecture is impressive in terms of dimensions and surpasses them in terms of the size so far of all discovered Archaic tombs in the Balkans - said, among other things, Ardzhanliev, archaeologist-curator at the Archaeological Museum in Skopje.

Minister Ljutkov expressed satisfaction that we are all witnessing a great scientific research success, which not only sheds new light on the archaeological history of Macedonia but also represents a significant contribution to the European and world archaeological heritage.

- The valuable finds discovered in the Ohrid-Struj region illuminate the life of civilizations that left traces of the past, but whose culture and influence are still significant for our understanding of the historical context - he said, expressing gratitude to Shefit Semshedini, the owner of the plot where it is located the locality.

Ljutkov emphasized that the preservation of cultural heritage is an obligation and responsibility towards future generations.

- With these discoveries, we not only expand our historical context, but also strengthen our position as an important actor on the regional, Balkan and European archaeological scene - he said.

The site was discovered by chance in 2020, when the helmet was found during agricultural work, which indicated the existence of an archaeological site. Last year, the Shemshedini family gave consent for archaeological research to be carried out on their property.

The discovered tomb, together with the other already established sites from the Archaic period, including Trebenishka, Archontiko, Sindos, Gorna Porta in Ohrid, near Delogozhda and Radolishta, indicate the active life of a highly organized social elite of the Ohrid-Strusa region at that time.

All the findings discovered at the site after their conservation and examination will be exhibited in the Archaeological Museum in Skopje.