Archaeology of Kosovo as a field of study and research was started in the second half of the 20th century. Kosovo's field of archaeology has developed in tandem with the historical study, studies of ancient authors' sources, classic philological studies, theological data research, topographic studies and ground survey, analysis of toponyms, deciphering of epigraphic and historiographic data. First data about antique monuments in Kosovo, were documented from the end of the 19th until the beginning of the Second World War, a time period when Kosovo was visited by researchers, guides, and archaeologists such as: Evans, Boue, Hahn, Kanitz, Tomaschek, Domaschevski, Arpad, Vulic, Jirecek, Patsch, Domenico Mustilli, etc.
In the 1950s, researchers in Kosovo began to focus on studying prehistoric and ancient times. Development of scientific archaeological research methods starts with the founding of the Museum of Kosovo in 1949, and later these studies were helped with the establishment of other relevant local and regional institutions. In 2003, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Kosovo established the Archaeological Institute of Kosovo, and since then, many archaeological sites have been excavated and recorded. Since then geophysical, geomagnetic archaeometallurgical and archaeobotanic studies were performed at some archaeological sites in close cooperation with partners from Germany such as the German Archaeological Institute, and other relevant international institutions with the same inter-disciplinary access. The municipality of Ferizaj specifically has been rich in archaeological findings.
Pre-Neolithic
Due to its location and abundance of natural resources, Kosovo has been a great place for life to thrive since ancient times. The potential archaeological sites in Kosovo are increasing due to recent findings and investigations and superficial traces that provide new insights into Kosovo's antiquity. The earliest traces documented in the territory of Kosovo belong to the Stone Age Period. For instance, the Radivojce Cave, set near the spring of the Drin river, the Grnčar Cave in the Vitia municipality, and the Dema and Karamakaz Caves of Peja. There is no sufficient evidence to suggest habitation during the Paleolithic.
Neolithic (c. 6500-3500 BC)
The time frame 6500-3500 BC should be regarded as the relative real extent of the Neolithic period in the Balkans.
Some evidence suggests that women played a significant role as the "matriarchate" during the Neolithic.
Copper Age (c. 3500-2500 BC)
During the Copper Age, Kosovo saw a shift from a matriarchal to a patriarchal organized society as well as distinct social classes.
Bronze Age (c. 2500-1100 BC)
The Bronze Age followed the Copper Age, stretching in the time period from 2500 up to 1100 BC. With the advancement of the metallurgy factorial industry, and with the mixing of copper with tin, the bronze was created as an alloy. The formula invention for creating this stronger metal led towards the production of weapons, tools and jewelry. In the past, research carried out in Kosovo recorded dozens of settlements, cemeteries and fortresses of the early, middle and late Bronze Age.
Iron Age (c. 1100 - mid-4th century BC)
In the Iron Age, Kosovo used metals for weapons and tools. The area had settlements and fortresses, some with natural protection and favorable locations. Burial mounds, called tumulus graves, were a significant feature. They were scattered throughout the region, often found in groups or alone.
Roman Period
The Romans introduced their administrative and military system, extended slavery, and led to a process of Romanization in the first four centuries of the 1st millennium AD. Despite this, Dardanian population did not see significant ethnic change.
With the implementation of the agrarian policies imposed by the Roman rulers, the "ager provincialis" and "ager publicus" became the property of the Roman state. However, some local administration retained some political power. New taxes were introduced, including tributum soli and tributum capiti. During the first two centuries of Roman administration in Dardania, indigenous people were used as slaves and labor in mining, farming, and agriculture. Meanwhile, Italian veterans gained large estates and were encouraged to acquire as many slaves as needed for the hard work.