- Item
- AIAC_1162
- Name
- Ghar Ix-Xih
- Date Range
- 500 BC – 100
Seasons
-
AIAC_1162 - Ghar Ix-Xih - 2005Located on the south-east coast of the island of Gozo and overlooking the naturally sheltered and secluded Mġarr ix-Xini bay, Għar ix-Xiħ is hardly conspicuous to the ordinary viewer. But its archaeological potential had already been realised by Italian archaeologists Ugolini and Caprino visiting the site in the 1930s and 1960s respectively. Due attention was again recently accorded to the site when it was decided to subject it to an excavation exercise in order to determine its true nature, use, and date. This excavation forms part of an archaeological survey of Mġarr ix-Xini valley. The survey is one of the projects constituting the Mġarr ix-Xini Valley Regional Park: a joint initiative of the Sannat and Xewkija Local Councils. The excavation is being carried out by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (which is also carrying out the archaeological survey) together with the Department of Classics and Archaeology of the University of Malta and with the support of the two local councils mentioned. Starting in 2005, the excavation has been going on for the last three seasons (2005 – 7) and is planned to continue in the coming ones. On the basis of the evidence gathered so far, the site appears to have been a small rural shrine possibly serving both the agricultural community of the neighbourhood and the maritime community making use of the nearby harbour facilities. Foreign contacts are, in fact, also evident on the basis of the material retrieved. Possibly having started as a cave, the site appears to have undergone structural development to be adapted to the changing needs during its long period of use spanning from the 6th century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. but reaching its peak during the 1st century B.C. – 1st century A.D.
Media
- Name
- Ghar Ix-Xih
- Year
- 2005
- Summary
-
en
Located on the south-east coast of the island of Gozo and overlooking the naturally sheltered and secluded Mġarr ix-Xini bay, Għar ix-Xiħ is hardly conspicuous to the ordinary viewer. But its archaeological potential had already been realised by Italian archaeologists Ugolini and Caprino visiting the site in the 1930s and 1960s respectively. Due attention was again recently accorded to the site when it was decided to subject it to an excavation exercise in order to determine its true nature, use, and date. This excavation forms part of an archaeological survey of Mġarr ix-Xini valley. The survey is one of the projects constituting the Mġarr ix-Xini Valley Regional Park: a joint initiative of the Sannat and Xewkija Local Councils.
The excavation is being carried out by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (which is also carrying out the archaeological survey) together with the Department of Classics and Archaeology of the University of Malta and with the support of the two local councils mentioned. Starting in 2005, the excavation has been going on for the last three seasons (2005 – 7) and is planned to continue in the coming ones.
On the basis of the evidence gathered so far, the site appears to have been a small rural shrine possibly serving both the agricultural community of the neighbourhood and the maritime community making use of the nearby harbour facilities. Foreign contacts are, in fact, also evident on the basis of the material retrieved. Possibly having started as a cave, the site appears to have undergone structural development to be adapted to the changing needs during its long period of use spanning from the 6th century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D. but reaching its peak during the 1st century B.C. – 1st century A.D. -
en
Għar ix-Xiħ is a modified cave site located on the outskirts of Xewkija within the valley overlooking the bay of Mġarr ix-Xini, Gozo. The importance of Għar ix-Xiħ as an archaeological site was realized recently by a Gozitan archaeologist George Azzopardi who noticed several rock-cut features carved on the cave walls and surrounding garigue. Intrigued by the discovery of such markings George scoured the area for more signs of anthropogenic presence. Lying on the rubble wall that defines the southern extent of the site, he discovered the head of a terracotta figurine which is now on display at the Museum of Archaeology in Gozo.
These discoveries prompted annual excavation campaigns since 2005 in which a series of rich cultural deposits have been uncovered and are in the process of being studied. The initial findings, including terracotta figurines, pottery sherds, marine shells and bones, point to the existence at Għar ix-Xiħ of a ritual site, possibly a shrine dating to the Late Punic/Early Roman (Republican) period. Due to its close proximity to an ideal anchorage at Mġarr ix-Xini bay, the shrine might have been linked to seafaring activities.
The primary aim of the Għar ix-Xiħ excavation project is to assess the type and extent of cultural activity on one archaeological site within the Mġarr ix-Xini valley. The project also aims to provide fieldwork experience to undergraduate and graduate students reading for a degree in Archaeology at the University of Malta. - Funding Body
- Sannat and Xewkija (Gozo) local councils