Albania has a rich and diverse archaeological heritage. Having been settled since the early Palaeolithic, the region is dotted with prehistoric and Bronze Age sites. As well as its famous Greek and Roman cities, such as Butrint, Apollonia and Byllis, which contain some of the best-preserved monuments in the Mediterranean, Albania is endowed with a splendid Byzantine and Ottoman inheritance. After the collapse of communist rule in 1990, economic and social turmoil during the subsequent ten years resulted in little government support for Albania’s archaeological resource. By the end of the 20th century the pace of development was escalating, much of the construction lacking planning consent. One consequence was the thoughtless destruction of sites that might have yielded important information on Albania’s past, and provided a legacy upon which to build its future.

The International Centre for Albanian Archaeology (ICAA) was launched in August 1999 with the support of the Packard Humanities Institute. The aim was to establish an institution that could facilitate the renovation of the Albanian archaeological service and promote research, as well as excavation and conservation of Albania's outstanding archaeological heritage. From its inception the ICAA incorporated the Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit to provide a rapid response service for sites imperilled by the surge in construction development. In 2007 the Cultural Heritage Unit was added to promote issues of cultural heritage management.

Since 1999 Iris Pojani, Diana Ndrenika, Lorenc Bejko and Maria Grazia Amore have worked closely with Richard Hodges (University of East Anglia and Butrint Foundation) to establish the ICAA.  The Future of Albania’s Past Project is led by Ardit Miti and Eglantina Serjani; the Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organisation by Elenita Roshi and Sadi Petrela; and the Cultural Heritage Unit by Diana Ndrenika. Furthermore, the ICAA is supported by a host of talented young research assistants which bodes well for the future.