Archaeology in Mdina

Marlene Borg, chairman, Archaeological Services Cooperative Ltd, pointed out in her letter (April 18) that "at the end of this exercise , as a result of these short and justified delays [excavations in Mdina which held up the refurbishment of the city], Malta has benefited from an increased understanding of its rich past".

I should like to ask her where have the results been published, and in which peer-reviewed scientific journals? I know of many examples of archaeological digs both in Malta and overseas which have yet to be published after many years. The Archaeological Services Cooperative has a social, ethical, scientific and national obligation to publish the results of its excavations, rather than peering self-importantly down holes in the ground, especially where such exercises resulted in massive inconveniences to the residents and cost the state and society both time and money. I am certainly not decrying the value of archaeology, but we need to see published, credible and relevant results before the public is expected to gratefully accept the self-referential fabrication of social importance by archaeologists through the imposition of restrictions.  

Perhaps Ms Borg can kindly give us a specific list of published or forthcoming publications and their publication dates, so that we can, to quote her words, benefit "from an increased understanding of [Mdina's/Malta's] rich past". I certainly would be interested to read them, and so would many others including the long-suffering residents of Mdina. When the Jews were expelled from Malta, there was apparently much frantic digging in Mdina by people convinced that they had secreted their treasures and wealth. There is little evidence that anything was found. We augur that these excavations, in contrast, will yield, at the very least, some scientific results and be made available to all.