TIRANA, May 14/ATA/ “Rider from Babunja”, a 2600-year-old sculpture discovered near Apolonia (Fier) is on display at the Museum of Natural History Vienna, where it will remain until July 31.

“Rider from Babunja” is an extraordinary bronze statue showing an armed rider on horseback. This is the first time that this unique work of art has been displayed before the Austrian scientific community and international researchers, in one of the most important museums in the world.

“Rider from Babunja” will stand next to the famous Venus of Willendorf statue. The presentation of this extraordinary archaeological discovery was conceived and organized by the Embassy of Albania in Vienna in cooperation with the Institute of Archaeology, part of the Albanian Academy of Sciences, and the Museum of Natural History Vienna.

In her welcoming remarks, Director of the Museum of Natural History Vienna, Prof. Katrin Vohland said that the special exhibition “Rider from Babunja” constitutes another important moment in the over 100-year-old cooperation between Albania and Austria in the field of culture and scientific research. Since the early works in the field of archaeology in Albania by Camilo Praschniker and Arnold Schober, published in 1919 and which continue to be fundamental even today, there have been carried out a series of joint archaeological and cultural-historical projects, such as exhibitions and excavations.

In his speech, Fate Velaj, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Austria, said that every archaeological discovery represents an important event in scientific and social life, while enriching the cultural heritage and history of a country.

“Rider from Babunja” was discovered in 2018 in the ancient Illyrian city of Arnisa in the village of Babunja near ancient Apolonia, as part of Albanian-German research. /r.e/j.p/p.s./