Archaeological investigations in Mdina

Archaeology Services Cooperative Ltd would like to congratulate the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure for the completion of the paving works at Mdina. The passing of all overhead wiring underground, as well as the renovation of services, was a great need for the city of Mdina.

It is a pity that, rather than understanding that a short delay in works could lead to major discoveries and a better understanding of our cultural heritage, any such discoveries are accused of hampering efficiency and creating delays.

The rehabilitation works of Mdina provided an opportunity to Maltese archaeology to investigate the archaeological deposits of the city while the above works were being carried out. It has to be reminded that Malta hosted the Valletta Convention which dealt with the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage back in 1992. Being a signatory, Malta is obliged to "ensure that excavations and other potentially destructive techniques are carried out only by qualified, specially authorised persons" (Article 3, Sub Article E). In the case of Mdina it was not only in our national interest to make sure that such works for this city's renovation did not destroy the underlying archaeological deposits but also, as this convention says, it is important to "protect the archaeological heritage... (being) a source of the European collective memory and as an instrument for historical and scientific study" (Article 1, Sub Article 1).

Prior to these works there were very few occasions when archaeologists could conduct field research about Mdina, and none of these was conducted on such a large scale. Between 2000 and 2001, ASC Ltd had been commissioned to monitor trenching works that were necessary for passing all services underground. When archaeological deposits were uncovered, rescue archaeology came into action. This means that archaeologists do not carry out a full-fledged archaeological investigation but they concentrate on quick investigations, including thorough documentation through the drawing of plans and sections, and photographs. Excavations are only limited to the most important parts determined by the directors of the excavation, in this case the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. These are aimed to study the most important levels and rescue any particular archaeological finds that are of high interest. When these excavations are ready, then the site is either covered up again for future posterity or it may even be destroyed, depending on the decisions taken by the authorities. During these two years, ASC monitored all the trenching activity and conducted a number of rescue excavations namely in parts of Villegaignon Street, St Paul Square, Mesquita Square, St Publius Square and the courtyard of Vilhena Palace.

In 2005, monitoring was again required on another part of St Paul Square during the removal of the paving to make way for the new one. Archaeological deposits in the form of large stones from the classical period were immediately encountered, and once again rescue archaeology had to be carried out. This excavation took six weeks in all, while works were being carried out elsewhere in Mdina. There was great collaboration between the archaeologists, Mdina residents, the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure and the Mdina Rehabilitation Project. Everyone took interest in what was going on. Countless tourists stopped by to watch archaeology at work, while parents made it a point to take their children to Mdina to watch these discoveries. This was yet another rare opportunity provided by this project.

At the end of this exercise, as a result of these short and justified delays, Malta has benefited from an increased understanding of its rich past.