The last archaeological researches has explored different trails which demonstrate the population of the area from the
Paleolithic era. The valley of
Mati, has been populated during all the historic periods. In antiquity the region was inhabited by various
Illyrian populations including the
Pirustae. In second century BC the region came under
Roman control. A famous native of Burrel was Ahmet Zogu, first
King of the Albanians (born Ahmet Zogolli, later changed to Ahmet Zogu; 8 October 1895 – 9 April 1961), who reigned as
King Zog I from 1928 to 1939. He had previously been a
Prime Minister of Albania between 1922 and 1924 and
President of Albania between 1925 and 1928. At one time, Burrel was referred to as the "city of apples" because of the apple trees that lined many of the town's streets, however, during the time of the Communist regime and the unrest following the change of government, the apple trees were cut down for profit or personal use as firewood. There are hardly any apple trees left in the town now. Burrel was a miners' town during
Communist Albania, but the mines closed, with the exception of a
ferrochrome plant still operational near Burrel. During the
Kosovo conflict there was a refugee camp near Burrel for 2,000 people. With food and water and supplies from
NATO and
United States Armed Forces. ==Demographic history==