Season Director

• AIAC_1162 - Ghar Ix-Xih - 2005
  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.
• AIAC_1201 - Tal-Barrani - 1993
  One rock-cut tomb (mid-Imperial) and one catacomb (mid-Imperial to Early Byzantine) located on higher grounds overlooking the Zejtun area leading into the Birzebbuga and Marsaxlokk roads. These catacombs were uncovered during road works for a bypass in 1993. These features contained a wide array of human remains that will be crucial for population demograpihcs. The deposit make up of the infilling material pointed out for the first time that at a Late Classical stage conscious backfilling of unused areas was carried out. A publication for this excavation is underway.