Nestor Laiviera
'Still too early' to tell fate of Punic tombs
One of eight tombs found at the site of the new St James Hospital in Żejtun which are estimated to date back to the Punic age, a span of time which lasted between roughly 600 BC and 1000 AD.
The fate of ancient rock-cut tombs found earlier this month on the site of the planned new St James Hospital is still uncertain as investigations into the discovery are still at an early stage, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage said.
The tombs were discovered during excavation works for the new hospital in Żejtun.
Eight tombs have been found and are estimated to date back to the Punic age, a span of time which lasted between roughly 600 BC and 1000 AD.
But none of the tombs discovered so far was found intact and the superintendence believes that a large part of the damage might have been done during the construction of a milk factory in the 1960s.
Superintendent Nathaniel Cutajar confirmed that the superintendence had intervened at the site but insisted that "it was too early" to comment on the find, stressing that it remained to be seen whether the tombs would be found significant enough to warrant state intervention.
He pointed out that the situation could change drastically from as early as next week, as more tombs, or a decorated tomb, could potentially be uncovered.
Mr Cutajar explained that the entire area covered by the hospital development "has been under intense archaeological investigation," carried out under the direction of the superintendence and financed by the developer.
He added that the construction works were being monitored by an archaeologist who informed the superintendence and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority of the discovery.
Saint James Group chairman Josie Muscat said the whole process was in the hands of the authorities but he views the discovery as another frustrating hurdle in the building of the hospital. He said he was tired of how the hospital development had been dragging on for eight years due to various bureaucratic stumbling blocks, adding: "I'm so fed up I don't give a fig of what's going on".
The discovery of the tombs was originally announced by the Archaeological Society of Malta in a statement urging Mepa and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage to step in and take precautions to ensure that the tombs are carefully excavated and studied.
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Ronnie Gauci
Jan 2nd 2009, 23:54
This hospital can easlily be relocated. In Marsa, Bulebel or Ta` Qali industrial estates you will find dozens of gigantic factories which have been abandoned for years an this also affected the area. Putting a hospital there would be hitting two birds with one stone.
These tombs should be preserved, excavations continued and when finished the surroundings changed into a nice prehistoric theme park with museums, fountains, picnic areas and also organised trips with eco-buses to close-by Hagar Qim, Hypogeum and Ghar Dalam. What a breath of fresh air this would be for that area. Why we don't have a Government with similar innovative ideas?? No wonder our tourism product is always going down the drain in quality, we are always offering the same boring product for years over and over again.
Jonathan Borg
Jan 2nd 2009, 11:24
Unbelievable!. What is wrong with this country? Will we ever join the 21st century? It's bad enough that these tombs were damaged by construction in the 1960s. Oh, by the way, were they known to exist back then, too? Let's stop the nonsense, shall we? Preserve our history.
Silvan Said
Jan 2nd 2009, 11:20
In which part of the world can one visit such treasures within the grounds of a private hospital? St James hostpital has found a treasure and Its owner is frustrated!
Use your imagination and combine this discovery with the project so that it is open to vthe public at large visitors as well as visitors to the hospital!
The developer should propose new plans for the integration of such treasures within the development and be given custodianship of the archeaological heritage under the watchful eyes of Heritage Malta with strict conditions that it is protected and maintained, and even commercialised provided it is for universal enjoyment. This would be as a sign of "good corporate citizenship" by the hospital.
We need new ideas, not arrogance and beauracracy.
julian caruana
Jan 2nd 2009, 09:01
What will Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar be doing to save a 2.000 year old tomb which by the likes of it will be destroyed.???
I really cannot understand the way Mepa works, kbar maz zghir u zghir mal kbir.
Joseph Giglio
Jan 2nd 2009, 06:01
Whoever used the services of St James Hospital in Zabbar would easily understand the need of a bigger hospital.... however, in my opinion, our cultural heritage is priceless and should be conserved at all costs. Infact, I was sorry to hear that similar tombs had to be buried once and for all in the Road of Tal-Barrani, a couple of years back. However, I think it could be possible for the hospital building to integrate these tombs and conserve them in a manner that they could remain accessible. As an employee of St James hospital, I do understand Dr Muscat's frustration, but this should not be interpreted in any manner that I want the tombs destroyed or damaged - the frustration is that we need a bigger hospital to cater for the increasing demands of the hospital services as soon as possible, and yet we keep on facing problems which increase the financial burden and postpone the target date originally planned. I wish it could be possible to get some EU funds to carry out an integration/conservation project for these tombs, and carry on with the project and finish it as soon as possible so that everyone would be happy!
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Jan 1st 2009, 10:57
In the general interests of society Dr. Josie Muscat (and many other paramedics for that matter) should concentrate his efforts more on Health Education about prevention of illnesses and less on building new hospitals.
Now how about starting by admitting that excessive interference with nature and aggressive assisted human reproduction techniques are resulting in many more children being born with long term special needs and disabilities than would be the case if nature was allowed to take its course and so-called “childless couples” were advised to follow good health practices to aid conception (including relaxation and not viewing childlessness as a BIG PROBLEM) and to resort to adoption and fostering if merely being with other people’s children in the extended family, schools, local clubs, NGOs etc. is not enough to satisfy their parental urge.
I respect Dr. Muscat for taking up such issues as the present illegal immigrants crisis and the over permissive attitude towards crime, evil and parasitism in Malta. But I sure do not agree with his promotion of aggressive assisted reproduction techniques.
c.camilleri
Dec 31st 2008, 17:33
The case has been dragging on because the site chosen is in a non developement zone. Instead of dragging the case so long MEPA should have refused permission forthwith. The so called bureaucracy was used to justify the issue for the building permit .
J. Borg
Dec 31st 2008, 17:26
So much for Josie Muscat being the defender of Maltese culture!
lgalea
Dec 31st 2008, 15:29
J. Borg
Hahaha. That sounds a nice proposal which would reflect on the hospital taking the people striaght from the operating table to their tomb.
NO Borg. They should not be destroyed. Dr Josie Muscat can build his hospital somewhere else. THey belong to ALL OF US, not to the Government or Dr Josie Muscat.
l.chetcuti
Dec 31st 2008, 13:41
According to Gibbons Rome fell in 476 AD so how couldthe Punic era extend to 1000AD?
Ray Sultana
Dec 31st 2008, 13:01
These tombs should be preserved, no ifs and buts. They are part of your heritage.
Joseph Schembri
Dec 31st 2008, 12:36
BTW - When did the Punic era start extending till 1000 AD? I think your figures are off by about 900 years!
There are instances of Punic and Paleo-Christian tombs all over the island and they should be treasured.
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Dec 31st 2008, 12:13
Min skopra li l-era Punika damet sal-1000 AD, ukoll jekk f'Malta biss, jinhtieglu jippublikaha ghax id-dinja ma tafx biha.
J. Borg
Dec 31st 2008, 11:52
With a little bit of thought and sound planning
the tombs (IF they are deemed of 'lesser' importance)
can be blended into a unique feature within the hospital itself
John F Borg
Dec 31st 2008, 11:39
Here we go again!
Another developer complaining of Malta's heritage. Some things never really change, and in fact its a joke to read that someone like Josie, a learned man who in my opinion is also cultured voicing such words.
Josie is right in complaining of the red tape that kept dragging such a project for 8 years. And in my opinion as a contributor to the public coffers I think that these things are really unacceptable at this day and age.
However once should not complain of archeological remains. One asks; was an environmental impact assessment carried out? or is this only carried out when the development is outside an already developed area? Are no impact assessments carried out to check for the exisance of archeological remains? Especially in areas that has been inhabited since time immemorial!
I also find it incomprehensible that Mr Cutajar says that the tombs could be insignificat! So if we find some stone-age temple which was damaged by previos construction works, do we allow the developer to raze it to the ground? I think a complex of 8 tombs lying in Zejtun for 3000 years should be preserved or included in the development!
Joseph Schembri
Dec 31st 2008, 11:18
I find it confusing that people like Dr. Josie Muscat who form part of a right wing 'party' are frustrated by important archeological discoveries. Doesn't he know that there are countries that would kill to have a bit of our archeological heritage?
j.caruana
Dec 31st 2008, 10:46
as you can see Zejtun can offer a lot if heritage to the tourists such as; The ancient church of San Girgor which is full of secret passages and human skeletons, the roman villa, tombs all over, shelters....and much more. I suggest Zejtun to be induced in the list of palaces of interest
Proud to be from Zejtun ;-)
Dave Alan Caruana
Dec 31st 2008, 10:36
Do these 'punic tombs' have planning permission after all?
I think MEPA should take it upon itself to demolish such illegal structures.
a.cassar
Dec 31st 2008, 09:34
I can understand Josie's frustration. How dare the carthginians build their tombs on the site where Josie was to build his hospital some thousands of years later?!!!
Nathaniel Cutajar stressed that "it remained to be seen whether the tombs would be found significant enough to warrant state intervention." Which means that they could eventually be covered over and forgotten. Ah well, we have so much heritage we can afford to get rid of some of it. I ask what would shift the balance against preserving the tombs?