Excavations by Albanian archaeologists and those of the University of Bern, carried out over a long period of time, concluded that the palafit settlement in Lin i Pogradec dates back to 8,500 years, or 6,000 years before Christ.

The Swiss archaeologist, Albert Hafner said that the settlement developed agriculture about 8-9 thousand years ago and then spread to Italy and then throughout Europe. This settlement is 2 thousand years earlier than the traces found in Switzerland, according to Hafner.

"We have since 2021 to dig and follow the tracks that lead us to 8,500 years BC. We are digging for the oldest water trees in Europe. The residents here were farmers and from the findings we can say that it is the oldest palafit in Europe", said Albert.

Adrian Anastasi, Albanian archaeologist, said that the findings can be placed in Pogradec, or even in digital form, for the purpose of archaeological tourism.

"There are many ways, digital, publishing, cameras in the water to create the idea and have more success as a virtual and modern museum that exposes what is under water, protecting it at the same time", he said.
 
Excavations for the settlement in Lin are taking place in water, as the settlement was built on trees on land and in the lake. There are also other data that such a settlement has left traces near the border with North Macedonia.