Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta.
Special thanks to the head of department Dr Carmel Serracino.
Architecture of Power in 10th century Córdoba: research perspectives on the city-palace
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaMore than a thousand years ago, at the edge of Western Europe, 10th century Córdoba was the capital of Islamic Iberia, the “Jewel of the World”, symbolizing cultural and intellectual efflorescence. According to historical sources, the ruins of the mythical caliphal city-palace of Madīnat al-Zahrā were located a short distance further west of La Mezquita. The raison d’être of this citadel has been investigated from a multidisciplinary approach for more than two decades. The present investigation illustrates the significance of the roles of architecture, astronomy and philosophy at a time when Caliph Abd al-Rahman III embarked on building “The Brilliant City” in 941. While the elaborate artistic programme attests to the magnificence of the architectural styles, this research considers religious and philosophical factors as the possible prime motives behind the design of the royal ceremonial spaces.
Site visit to the WWII underground radar complex at Dingli
Dingli Cliffs Dingli Cliffs, Ħad-Dingli, MaltaThe first British Air Ministry Experimental System tested outside the UK, which later became known as Radar, was brought to Dingli and switched on on 27th March 1939. It was meant to be here on trial for six months. With the war being declared in September of the same year this system became the backbone of Malta's Early Warning System, detecting air raids as soon as hostile aircraft got airborne from Sicily.
Immediately a second system was sent out for reliability requirements.
A third system arrived at Dingli Cliffs in January 1941, which was a completely different system meant for low level and surface detection.
Ground to Air communications systems, Wireless Telegraphic systems, VHF Direction Finding and a set of Interference and Eavesdropping systems were also installed along Dingli Cliffs, between the Maddalena Chapel and tal-Pitkal. A number of Barracks were also built with RAF Dingli becoming a Unit entity.
As the war ended, three radar systems were installed at tal-Pitkal which were withdrawn in the early 50s.
Why is that column so small? The things I wish I had known before creating digital models (but was too embarrassed to ask)
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaWith its long tradition of trade contacts with the eastern Mediterranean, coupled with the productivity of the region of Campania, by the 1st C AD Pozzuoli rapidly became a centre for technical and commercial expertise. Its richness in archaeological remains, coupled with its unique geological setting, has resulted in a wealth of scholarly research, particularly on specific public monuments of the port.
Pozzuoli has also been represented in many ways throughout various periods in time – paintings, etchings, narratives. A digital visualization is another form of representation that can be added to the port’s repertoire of descriptions. The talk will look at some of the more interesting aspects of the speaker’s PhD thesis, namely Pozzuoli’s geography and archaeology. It will also undertake a critical assessment of some of the digital models, and in particular how they were built using the methodology principles set out by the London Charter: what worked, what did not work – and what the speaker wished she had known at the time.
Site visit to St Paul’s Catacombs and visitor centre in Rabat
St Paul's Catacombs St Paul's Catacombs, Hal-Bajjada, Rabat, MaltaLed by Mr David Cardona, acting senior curator Phoenician, Roman and medieval sites, Heritage Malta. Heritage Malta is kindly offering members a special entrance fee. Meeting [...]
The use of ancient DNA studies in a Maltese archaeological context
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaThe study of ancient DNA is becoming increasingly useful for gaining information which
cannot be obtained through traditional archaeological methods. The Maltese climate is not
well suited to ancient DNA preservation, and prior to Dr Josef Caruana’s Ph.D. work, no studies on DNA in a Maltese archaeological context had been carried out. Dr Caruana, a curator at Heritage Malta, will give a presentation of the work conducted on samples taken from one Temple period and two late Roman archaeological sites in Malta. Dr Caruana’s talk will also consider the limitations of such studies.
Site visit to San Pawl Milqi and its landscape context
San Pawl Milqi San Pawl Milqi, Triq San Pawl Milqi, San Pawl il-Baħar, MaltaLed by Dr Maxine Anastasi, lecturer Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta. Heritage Malta is kindly offering members a special entrance fee.
Red Star and Snowy Mountain: Landscape, Skyscape and Megalithism in Neolithic NW Iberia
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaThe archaeological record of the European Neolithic is marked by thousands of megalithic monuments of varied styles. Patterns in the orientation of similar megaliths betray a deliberate intent in their construction that can, in some cases, be related to topographic features or celestial events of prominence in the cosmology of their builders. This talk will introduce the field and methodologies of archaeo-astronomy, as complementary to other archaeological approaches. It will then apply them to the specific case of the megalithic structures built in Northwest Iberia during the Mid to Late Neolithic (c. 4000 cal BC). Focusing first on a cluster of passage graves in Carregal do Sal (central Portugal), a pattern in orientation is identified relating the structures to both a conspicuous mountain range on the horizon and the red star Aldebaran that would rise above it. This, it is suggested, marked the time for these Neolithic pastoralists to move to the mountain range, “following the star”. Toponymic folktales that tell similar stories are also considered. Finally, other megalithic clusters in north Portugal are also discussed, and the potential role played by such Neolithic stars discussed.
Day trip to Gozo
Archaeology Centre Car Park 6, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaLed by Dr Anton Bugeja, taking 9:45 ferry from Cirkewwa. Sites to be visited include Dwejra, the Gozo Citadel (excluding Museum of Archaeology), Borg l-Gharib [...]
Pure Stone: The Jewish Stone-Vessel Industry andRitual-Purity Practices in the First Two Centuries of the Common Era
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaFrom about the late first century BCE, a stone-vessel industry emerged in ancient Palestine which produced a unique corpus of chalkstone vessels whose distribution is virtually limited to Jewish sites. Many scholars link the use of these vessels with Jewish purity practices. In this lecture, Dr Dennis Mizzi will present an overview of ritual purity in ancient Judaism while also exploring the use of chalkstone vessels within this framework. In addition, Dr Mizzi will present preliminary results from the recent excavation of a stone-vessel workshop at ‘Einot Amitai (near Nazareth).
Annual General Meeting
Archaeology Centre Car Park 6, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaFollowed by drinks and a snack. Please note that there will be no afternoon site visit.
A River Runs Through It: The Göksu Valley Through Time
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr Naoise Mac Sweeney, associate professor of Ancient History, University of Leicester. Sponsored by APS Bank. POSTPONED
Shipwrecks from Malta’s recent past and what these tell us
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr Timmy Gambin, senior lecturer, Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta. Sponsored by APS Bank. NB The Archaeological Society Malta is [...]
Site visit to the multi-period sanctuary site of Tas-Silġ, Marsaxlokk
Tas-Silġ Archaeological Complex Tas-Silġ, Marsaxlokk, MaltaLed by Mr David Cardona, acting senior curator Phoenician, Roman and medieval sites, Heritage Malta, and Professor Nicholas Vella, Associate Professor of Mediterranean Archaeology and [...]
Medieval Malta – an island satellite in the lee of Sicily: its landscape, hydrology and culture
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr Keith Buhagiar, Visiting Lecturer in Palaeochristian, Byzantine & Medieval Archaeology, Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta. Sponsored by APS Bank. [...]
[POSTPONED] Seminar in Gozo about Għar Għerduf
Circolo Gozitano 6, Sir Adrian Dingli Street, Victoria, MaltaThe Archaeological Society Malta and the Circolo Gozitano are organising a seminar in Gozo about Għar Għerduf, the only catacomb site in Gozo. The speakers [...]
Limestone use in Maltese prehistory and up to the Knights’ period
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr Peter Gatt, senior lecturer on construction materials at MCAST and geotechnical and geomaterials consultant. Sponsored by APS Bank. abstract
The craniological collection of the Karolinska Institutet: history, pathologies and repatriations
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Ms Ann Gustavsson, osteoarchaeologist, archivist/curator Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Sponsored by APS Bank. abstract
From the River to the Sea: The Göksu River Valley in Human History
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr Naoíse Mac Sweeney, associate professor of Ancient History, University of Leicester. Sponsored by APS Bank. abstract
Site visit to the Salini catacombs, Tal-Qadi temple remains, and the Bugibba temple
Ta' Cassia Triq il-Katakombi, In-Naxxar, MaltaLed by Ms Patricia Camilleri and Mrs Ann Gingell Littlejohn. Heritage Malta is kindly waiving the entrance fee but would appreciate donations on the day. [...]
Mission Impossible: the archaeology of Lampedusa in three days
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Prof. Anthony Bonanno, Professor, Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta. Sponsored by APS Bank. abstract
A lucky throw every time: ancient maritime religion & Roman anchors from Malta
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr Amelia Robertson Brown, Senior Lecturer in Greek History & Language, Classics & Ancient History discipline, School of Historical & Philosophical Inquiry, University [...]
Annual General Meeting POSTPONED
Archaeology Centre Car Park 6, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaAt 11am at the the Archaeology Centre, University Campus, Car Park 6, followed by drinks and a snack. Afternoon site visit to Ras ir-Raħeb, led [...]
Early Christian archaeology: the first centuries up to A.D. 500. From domus ecclesia to basilica-churches, with implications relating to Roman Melita
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage 173 St Christopher Street, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Fr Eugene Teuma OFM (Conv.), independent researcher. Sponsored by APS Bank. abstract
Gozo Day Trip CANCELLED
Led by Dr Anton Bugeja. Details to follow.
Annual General Meeting
Archaeology Centre Car Park 6, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaThe Annual General Meeting of The Archaeological Society Malta will be held on Saturday 2 June at 11 am, Archaeology Centre, University Campus, Car Park [...]
Site visit to Għar Dalam Park
Ghar Dalam Triq Ghar Dalam, Birzebbugia, MaltaSpecial morning site visit for members and families of The Archaeological Society Malta organised by Heritage Malta. Mr David Cardona, Heritage Malta Senior curator Phoenician, [...]
Heritage Malta’s Phoenician, Roman and Medieval sites: a backstage preview
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Mr David Cardona, Senior curator Phoenician, Roman and medieval sites, Heritage Malta. The section of Heritage Malta's Phoenician, Roman and Medieval sites is [...]
Cosmology in Archaeology
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaThe Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta, is organising a one day symposium on Cosmology in Archaeology. For the programme and abstracts, and [...]
Controlling territory: the Greek fortress of San Basilio near Lentini, Sicily
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Mr Italo Giordano, specialised archaeological guide, Sicily. North of the Greek colony of Leontinoi and on the southern edge of its ancient chora, [...]
Exhibition – Core and Periphery: Mdina and Safi in the 9th and 10th centuries
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaA special guided visit to a temporary exhibition at the National Museum of Archaeology, Republic Street, Valletta on Saturday 24 November at 2:30 pm. This [...]
Looking down on archaeology – flying drones over archaeological sites
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr Ing. John Betts, Senior lecturer, Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or as they are called [...]
Archaeology, archaeogenetics and identity: genetic research within the Maltese context
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Mr Karl Hallett, graduate in archaeology, University of Malta.
Scratching below the surface…excavating the Phoenician shipwreck off Gozo
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Prof. Timmy Gambin, Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta. After over ten years of exploring the surface of the Phoenician Shipwreck [...]
Mission Impossible: the archaeology of Lampedusa in three days (episode 2) – POSTPONED TO 22 MAY – FURTHER POSTPONED TO 29 MAY
POSTPONED TO 22 MAY. FURTHER POSTPONED TO 29 MAY. Lecture by Prof. Anthony Bonanno, Professor, Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta and Dr Ruben Borg, [...]
St. George and al-Khidr: A Mediterranean Saint for Christians and Muslims – NEW
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr. Erica Ferg, assistant professor of Liberal Arts at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, where she teaches courses on Islam, Christianity, Judaism, world [...]
Continuity and Change in regulating the Cultural Heritage Sector – the work of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaPresentation by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. Mr Joseph Magro Conti is Superintendent of Cultural Heritage and Ms Bernardette Mercieca Spiteri is Cultural Heritage Executive [...]
Annual General Meeting
Archaeology Centre Car Park 6, University of Malta, Msida, MaltaAnnual General Meeting followed by drinks and a snack. An afternoon site visit will follow.
Site visit to Ras ir-Raħeb and Kunċizzjoni
Bahrija Church, Triq Dun Saverin Bianco, Il-Baħrija, MaltaThis will be led by Professor Nicholas Vella, Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta, and Dr Keith Buhagiar, Visiting Lecturer in Palaeochristian, Byzantine [...]
Ceramics and Science: an archaeometric analysis of early Maltese pottery – POSTPONED TO 2020
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaLecture by Dr Catriona Brogan, Research Fellow from the School of Natural and Built Environment- Queen’s University Belfast; Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, University of Malta.
Mission Impossible: the archaeology of Lampedusa in three days (episode 2) – POSTPONED TO 29 MAY
National Museum of Archaeology Auberge de Provence, Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta, MaltaPOSTPONED TO 29 MAY. Lecture by Prof. Anthony Bonanno, Professor, Classics and Archaeology, University of Malta and Dr Ruben Borg, senior lecturer, Faculty for the [...]