Cultural heritage

Roman Settlement in Pastasel

Vendbanimi Romak në Pastasel

From the surveys carried out in 2001-2002, traces of a religious monument were identified, known to the locals by the toponym “Bregu i Kishës” (Church Hill). It is located south of the village, on a hill that dominates the whole surrounding area.

In the current state of preservation of the church it is very difficult to form a clear idea of its plan, since agricultural work has been carried out here continuously, which has disturbed and damaged its surface. Nevertheless, this monument, with an east-west orientation, is preserved in overall dimensions of 15 x 10 m. The side walls are damaged and can be followed only as a line.

On the southern side, the preserved wall, 0.65 m thick, was built of medium-sized stones bound with lime mortar, in which the use of brick dust can also be seen. In some cases, fragments of bricks were used to level the walls. On the eastern side the apse can be outlined only with difficulty. Evidently this church had three naves.

The archaeological material collected on the surface is represented mostly by fragments of bricks and roof tiles, as well as a few ceramic fragments, which typologically belong to the Late Roman period and Late Antiquity. Near the church, traces of a paved road were observed over a length of 20-25 m, laid with river stones up to 3 rows deep.