English
The grave of an important warrior was found in Rasnica, near the village of Koroshista – Struga, where a necropolis discovered in 2024 stands as one of the most significant archaeological finds of recent decades. New research confirms that this is a necropolis dating back to the 6th century BC—a site of exceptional importance and value that rivals the famous Archaic necropolises of Greece in stature.
Since the discovery of Trebenishte over a century ago, this marks the first discovery of such scale and significance. In 2024, the discovery was ranked among the top 10 archaeological finds worldwide
The latest results of the archaeological research are being presented to the public today. This year’s excavations have yielded another exceptional discovery: a rich warrior burial containing a complete set of military equipment, including a shield, helmet, spears, a sword, and other artifacts made of gold, bronze, amber, and other materials. The latest results are of particular significance as they further and unequivocally confirm the nature of the Rasnica site as an Archaic-period necropolis, opening up new avenues for studying burial customs, military and social structures, and the elites who inhabited the Ohrid-Struga region during the 6th century BC.
The Rasnica site near Koroshišta attracted public attention in 2024, when archaeological excavations revealed a monumental burial complex and an exceptionally rich assemblage of archaeological material. Finds from that time included a bronze helmet with gold appliqués, a bronze shield, a gold diadem, gold rings and foils, amber and glass beads, silver pins and a kantharos, as well as several bronze vessels.
Discoveries made in 2026 now add a new and exceptionally important dimension to the understanding of the necropolis. The lavish warrior burial and the accompanying set of weapons constitute a significant archaeological context that will allow for a more precise assessment of the status, identity, and military role of some of the individuals interred at this necropolis. Through ongoing research, Korošišta stands out as one of the country’s most significant newly discovered archaeological complexes from the Archaic period, and as a site of particular importance for the study of the Ohrid-Struga region in the 6th century BC.