Hard Hats to High-Tech: Mapping over 60 Years of Work on the Xlendi Tower Wrecks

Lecture by Prof Timmy Gambin

The Tower Wrecks, located off the coast of Xlendi, Gozo, serve as unique chronological markers for the evolution of underwater archaeology. Situated at a depth of 110 meters, the deep site remained largely inaccessible during its initial discovery in the late 1950s, when exploration was limited by the rudimentary diving technology.

This presentation traces a trajectory of over 60 years of research, documenting the transition from early object recoveries to systematic, high-tech scientific inquiries. We examine the integration of modern technical diving as well as robotics such as the deployment of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The combination of these assets together with other technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of this multi-period archaeological deposit.

By comparing early manual survey methods with contemporary 3D photogrammetry and remote sensing, we highlight how these technological advancements allowed for the creation of the world’s first deep-water archaeological park. The lecture concludes by reflecting on how sixty years of methodical progress transformed a dispersed scatter of amphorae into a protected heritage site of global importance, setting a new standard for the management of deep-sea underwater cultural heritage.