Zhaneta Andrea
Zhaneta Andrea was an Albanian archaeologist and prehistorian, regarded as one of the first women archaeologists in Albania. She made significant contributions to the study of prehistoric and protohistoric cultures, particularly the Illyrian tumulus culture as well as the Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements in southeastern Albania.
Early life and education
Zhaneta Andrea was born in Korçë, Albanian Kingdom. She completed her primary and secondary education in her hometown. From 1957 to 1961, she studied archaeology at Sofia University in Bulgaria, specializing in prehistoric archaeology before returning to Albania to pursue her professional career.Career
In 1962, Andrea began working as an archaeologist at the Archaeology Sector in the Institute of History and Linguistics, later incorporated into the Institute of Archaeology. Throughout her career, she participated in and directed numerous archaeological excavations across Albania.She worked on major sites such as Maliq, Tren and Podgorie in the Korçë basin and independently directed excavations at Cakran, Kuç i Zi, Barç, Shuec, Nezir, Burim, Zagorë, Bujan, Gërmenj and Cërujë. Her research focused on prehistoric settlements, burial mounds and material culture from the Neolithic through the Iron Age, with particular emphasis on Illyrian archaeological contexts.
Andrea published numerous scholarly articles in academic journals and conference proceedings. Her monograph Kultura ilire e tumave të pellgut të Korçës is considered a foundational work for the study of Illyrian tumulus culture in southeastern Albania. She also authored specialized studies such as Vendbanimi shpellor i Nezirit, published in the journal Iliria.