Illyrian Fortification of Komlik

The fortification of Komlik is located south of the village of Fregen in the district of Lezhe at an altitude of 658 m above the top of the mountain of the same name.
The place where it was built gives the fortification a natural protection of course, which makes it impossible for enemy forces to invade him. The first data on this fortification have been provided from the researcher, ethnologist and folklorist, Father Prend Suli, in his study entitled, “Toponomastics of Ungrej” village, published in “Leka” Magazine, in Shkodër, in 1932.
Dom Prend Suli, who visited this archaeological site, writes: “It’s told that this peak was a castle and it really shows that it was a castle, I myself have seen it: first to say, this peak is high, the second, all around it is surrounded by old walls; it means that this castle had a war with the Gjytet castle (Kastri, on that side Domet – Sherqel, joins Giadri), that is located between Vig and Kullagji (Kashnjet); ... ." In short, this means that the Illyrian troops from Pirust tribe in the Komlik garrison fought against the Roman forces serving for the defense of the Vig field castle, which controlled the ancient road “Via Lissus-Naissus”!
To further verify the data of Father Prend Suli, the excavations that followed the archaeological expeditions of 1988-1990 at the top of the Komlik peak, defined the complete contours of the surrounding walls built with stones connected with mortar and two gates reinforced with defensive towers were discovered along them.
The fortification of Komlik is similar in size to that of Kastri in Vig and has an irregular quadrangular plan. Compared to the prehistoric fortifications of Gajtan and Zejmen, Komlik stands out for the use of natural relief and for its special layout. From the notes of the historian Loro Gjeçi, which are based on the report of the excavations that took place in this fortification in the years 1988-1990, we learn that: “The archaeological objects that were discovered inside and outside the surrounding walls of this castle belong to the Illyrian-Arbnorian period that begins with the Bronze and Iron Ages and continues into late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. The archaeological material obtained is pure without Hellenic, Roman or Byzantine influences. The discovered objects are evidence of the continuous development of life and habitation in these early settlements."
In the vicinity of the fortification of Komlik, there is also the necropolis of the settlement, which, with its archaeological material, can provide sufficient information on the Antiquity and Early Middle Ages of Komlik and the area around it.
Relying on the dominant geographical position, it can be said that the Illyrian fortification of Komlik had an important strategic and defensive role throughout history, especially in the period of Antiquity. In addition to the main function as a strategic point of defense, the Pirusts must have used it as an observation and signaling point, a military base for the Illyrian soldiers, a refuge for the residents of the area in case of war, but also as a local administrative center where decisions were made and the economic and social activity of the entire area around Komlik was supervised.
The fortification of Komlik represents a prominent example of Illyrian military architecture, which has preserved its special characteristics to this day. It is thought that this fortification, which was built above the old lands of the village of Ungrej, is simultaneous with that of Kastri in the village of Vig, perhaps even earlier. However, Kastri Castle was built in the years 312-320 CE.
However, some of the archaeological objects discovered inside and outside the fortification of Komlik, which belongs to the Bronze Age, proves that this fortified town may have an earlier historical date. Some scholars estimate the age of this early Illyrian-Arberian fortification to be around 3,000-3,500 years, which makes it about 500-1,000 years older than the Lissitan Castle (present-day Lezha) and 1,300-1,800 years older than that of Kastri, in Vig.
Other researchers, based on the construction typology of the segment of walls found around the gate on the western side, have suggested a date about the 4th - 5th CE.