American archaeologists: We hope that the plan for the transfer of ASA to ASH will be reconsidered and a dialogue will be followed for the future of Albanian archeology

American archaeologists, collaborators for years with the Academy of Albanian Studies, express their opposition to the Albanian government's decision on the ASA. Through an open letter, American archaeologists say they express their opposition to the Albanian government's plan to dissolve the Academy of Albanian Studies (ASA), including the Institute of Archeology and to recreate it within the Academy of Sciences. "We are particularly concerned: That the archaeologists of the Institute of Archeology have not been rigorously consulted about this plan, which will strongly affect them and their ability to carry out their work; That moving the ASA and the Institute of Archeology to the Academy of Sciences without mutual agreement will add another layer of bureaucracy and oversight, stifling academic freedom and innovative research; and that the effects of this plan on the resources, budgets and personnel of the Institute of Archeology have not been fully disclosed," the letter published by the ASA on its website states. For these reasons, the letter states, they urge the Albanian government to reconsider its plan regarding the future of ASA and instead engage its members in open discussions about how best to support them. in order for albanological studies in Albania, including archaeology, to reach their full potential. "In recent years, Albanian archaeology, led by the archaeologists of the Institute of Archaeology, has finally taken its rightful place on the international stage. "We are concerned that moving the ASA to the Academy of Sciences will disrupt this new sense of momentum," the letter reads. They continue to write this letter because they remain excited and committed to Albanian archaeology. "Our colleagues at the Albanian Institute of Archeology have shared with us the extraordinary archaeological heritage of Albania, allowing us to participate in its study, an honor and privilege that we can never fully repay. We hope that the plan to transfer the ASA to the Academy of Sciences will be reconsidered and instead an honest dialogue about the future of Albanian archeology will be pursued, including archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology," the letter says. allowing us to share in her study, an honor and privilege we can never fully repay. We hope that the plan to transfer the ASA to the Academy of Sciences will be reconsidered and instead an honest dialogue about the future of Albanian archeology will be pursued, including archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology," the letter says. allowing us to share in her study, an honor and privilege we can never fully repay. We hope that the plan to transfer the ASA to the Academy of Sciences will be reconsidered and instead an honest dialogue about the future of Albanian archeology will be pursued, including archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology," the letter says.

Cooperation with Albanian archaeologists

The American archaeologists continue in their letter that in 2021 the Cultural Property Agreement for the protection of the Albanian archaeological heritage was signed with the United States. "This memorandum will bring quite a bit of interest and investment for Albanian archeology from the side of American archaeologists. In response, the Albanian government should expand the opportunities for cooperation between Americans and Albanian archaeologists, within an independent institute dedicated to pure archaeological research, without limiting such opportunities", they say. In their letter, the American archaeologists bring attention and cooperation to the exhibition "The First Kings of Europe", an international exhibition that recently opened at the Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois. "Every nation of the Balkans participates in this exhibition, including Albania, and Albania's participation would not have happened without the connections made between American and Albanian archaeologists at the Institute of Archaeology. In our opinion, given the success of this exhibition, the Institute of Archeology staff should have been recognized for their hard work and dedication, not subjected to a plan for dissolution and reorganization, which they themselves have not fallen for. never agree," the letter says. Among the signatories to the letter we mention Michael L. Galaty, Ann Arbor, David R. Hernandez, Susan E. Allen, etc. staff should have been recognized for their hard work and dedication, not subjected to a disbandment and reorganization plan that they themselves never agreed to," the letter said. Among the signatories to the letter we mention Michael L. Galaty, Ann Arbor, David R. Hernandez, Susan E. Allen, etc. staff should have been recognized for their hard work and dedication, not subjected to a disbandment and reorganization plan that they themselves never agreed to," the letter said. Among the signatories to the letter we mention Michael L. Galaty, Ann Arbor, David R. Hernandez, Susan E. Allen, etc.