Archaeological investigations around the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples have been completed, clearing the way for works to start on the building of protective shelters and a visitors’ centre, Reuben Grima, Heritage Malta’s senior curator for prehistoric sites said today.

The project has to be completed by the end of the year, in line with EU funding commitments.

Dr Grima was speaking outside the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, where “reserved matters” on the construction of the visitors centre, the protective shelter on the megalithic sites and other facilities were discussed and approved.

The development permit had been granted in December 2005, subject to the reserved matters, which fundamentally consisted of technical details on how the tent structures would be installed and anchored to the ground, and the foundation levels of the visitors’ centre.

Certain design details were dependant on extensive archaeological excavation that had to be conducted at the sites of the centre and the shelters, Dr Grima explained.

The idea was for the foundations for the membrane tents to have the least possible impact, he explained.