The public institution Center for Conservation and Archeology of Montenegro carried out archaeological research of the early Christian basilica in Budva during August 2018.
Archaeological excavations of the early Christian basilica in the Old Town had the character of revision research. During the campaign, the area of the choir, the central part of the altar area and the entrance to the main nave were explored. A 7.5 × 3 m probe was placed along the west wall of the main nave, which indicated that archaeological excavations had already been carried out in the southern half. The old probe was covered with rubble in the 1990s. A similar situation was registered in the apsidal part and in the area of the choir. After the recent demolation layers were removed, intact layers were found. In the main nave, on the west side, Roman layers have been recorded, which have not been fully explored, but the material discovered indicates that it is a residential building (parts of the plaster floor, mosaics, fragments of plastered walls and frescoes). Small finds, as for example a fragment of oil lamp, and ceramics, date from the period from the 1st to the 2nd century. Finds indicating the centuries-old use of the basilica were found in part of the choir. In the 9th century, the basilica was converted into a single-nave building with side aisles over which galleries were probably found. In the altar space, there were units recorded in previous research. The remains of the table of honor were discovered in the central part, and on its sides a plaster surface which is the remains of a mosaic substructure. In the northern part of the altar area, a mosaic was discovered and during previous research, which further suggests that there are two successive floors.
Based on the archeological material discovered, the basilica dates back to the 6th century, but, as can be seen from the above, there are later phases.