Rare Mosaic Honouring Emperor Justinian Unearthed in Ancient Ulpiana, Kosovo!
Archaeologists working in Ulpiana, an ancient city in Kosovo’s historic Dardania region, have made an extraordinary discovery - a rare mosaic dedicated to the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (AD 527–565) and his wife, Theodora.
The find, announced by Kosovo’s Minister of Culture, Hajrulla Çeku, is only the second of its kind uncovered at the site in recent years.
Ulpiana was once a thriving hub in the Roman province of Dardania, flourishing from the first to the sixth century AD. Its fortunes changed dramatically when a powerful earthquake struck around AD 518, leaving the city in ruins. But during the reign of Justinian, himself born in the region, Ulpiana was rebuilt and renamed Justiniania Secunda.
Photo Credit: Hajrulla Çeku
Two years ago, archaeologists discovered the first inscription marking the city’s reconstruction. The newly found mosaic goes a step further: it commemorates the construction of an episcopal basilica and stands as one of the very few known dedications to Justinian in his homeland.
“This is a discovery that shapes history,” said Minister Çeku, describing it as a “powerful dedication by Emperor Justinian” to Dardania and its church. The excavation team included Christophe Goddard, Hajdari Arben, and Milot Berisha, working as part of ongoing scientific research at the Ulpiana Archaeological Site.
Photo Credit: Hajrulla Çeku
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, highlighted the find’s broader significance:
“In the ruins of the Roman city of Ulpiana, not far from Pristina, archaeologists have uncovered a rare inscription by Emperor Justinian — a remarkable link to his Dardanian origins and a testament to successful international collaboration.”
Minister Çeku emphasised that safeguarding Kosovo’s archaeological heritage is now a top priority. Excavations at Ulpiana and Dresnik have been made possible by recent land expropriations, allowing researchers to work on a larger scale. Plans are in motion to conserve and manage the sites, strengthen professional expertise through global partnerships, and publish new scientific findings.
“Archaeology continues to bring us our history,” he said. “We carry on with dedication to research and protect it.”