Valletta was built on agricultural land, archaeological evidence shows
Mount Sceberras, the hill on which Valletta was built, was not barren wasteland but served as agricultural land in medieval times, according to new archaeological evidence.
New evidence that the hill was the site of “intense, ancient and medieval agricultural occupation” challenged the often-repeated theory that Mount Sceberras was barren and rocky, architect and Valletta Rehabilitation Project CEO Claude Borg said.
Mount Sceberras had been chosen by Grand Master Jean de la Valette as the site to build the new capital city after the Great Siege in 1565.
Described in most local history books as a barren outcrop, arid or rocky, the hill had to be levelled before construction could start in 1566 and completed with bastions, forts and the cathedral, all in 15 years.
The new evidence refuting the long-repeated theory came to light last February during the first excavations at St George’s Square by the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.
The excavations were carried out to investigate the possibility of an underground car park in the square. It became immediately evident that the square had archaeological potential that had to be studied further, Mr Borg said.
The idea of an underground car park was ditched after the discovery in March of a tunnel and a vault system that dated back to the Renaissance period.
New plans were drawn up for the upgrade of St George’s Square, which was recently inaugurated, including a water fountain, benches and lava paving. Keeping these in mind, the archaeological investigations started again in June, this time on a larger scale.
The excavations, under the watchful eye of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, revealed archaeological finds from different periods, Mr Borg said.
The oldest part of the square dates back to classical period (circa 8 AD - 395 AD) and investigations revealed rock-cut features. However, fragments of pottery dating back to the late medieval period indicated that the area was still covered by agricultural land until it was built over, Mr Borg said.
“Enough evidence was collected to prove that this was the site of intense ancient and medieval agricultural occupation. This challenges the often-repeated idea that Sceberras Height was just an outcrop of wasteland before the founding of Valletta by the Knights in 1567,” he said.
Obviously, most of the archaeological evidence found in St George’s Square dates back to the Renaissance – the time of the Knights – when it was transformed into a square facing the newly-constructed Grand Master’s Palace.
Last October, the excavations also revealed a stone slab with a hole in the middle in the centre that used to secure a pole used for the annual carnival game kukkanja (the maypole).
The excavations also revealed the exact position of a baroque fountain that stood in the square in 18th century, which was removed by the British to use it as a parade ground, Mr Borg said.
An underground system of tunnels and water channels that led to the fountain was also discovered.
All evidence was carefully investigated and documented and would eventually be published. Any archaeological remains that were uncovered were carefully conserved using an adequate covering technique, he said.
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Carmel Cilia
Jan 5th 2010, 18:07
I am surely not the one to contest the meaning of Xaghra or mewwija but I do have some knowledge of agriculture. In my humble opinion mount sciberras being as it was open to the winds from all sides and surrounded by seas would not have made a very fertile area. Except maybe for olive trees and even here I have my doubts. I live in mellieha and the most fertile areas here are in the valleys and not on the Kortins (exposed areas like mount sciberras). However I am subject to correction.
Joseph Bartolo
Jan 5th 2010, 06:36
Valletta the so called capital city is in reality a small walled rundown town, built of mount Scibberras. Lets fix it all up and turn it into a showcase place like Mdina and have a new capital city built, preferbly along the seashore, like smartcity being part of this plan and more placeslike palm city that has been built in Libya, yet on a grander scale, with a nice central park etc :)
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 4th 2010, 19:46
@ Victor Laiviera ‘Xaghra’ is misused in our language; we erroneously refer to a barren field as ‘Xaghra’, raba xaghri. Xaghra is Arabic for Street. The approach to our beautiful Mellieha is called ‘Ix-Xaghra ta barra’ meaning ‘The outside village street’.
j n ebejer
Jan 4th 2010, 19:45
Kellhu bzonn kellna nitfa mis sens ta' l-armonija arkitettonika u bini ta bliet bhal ma kellhom il kavallieri! Kieku mhux qeghdin f'din is-sitwazzjoni stunata ta' bini ta' l-ebda pregju arkitettoniku jew armonija. Ahna mhux biss bzonn ta NGO's ghandnha izda xi ftit sens ta x'hinu bini u xi forma ta' estetika u armonija fid disinn. Ma bnejniex bini sura f'malta kollha min dak iz zmien l'hawn!
Joe Cassar
Jan 4th 2010, 19:11
@ Mr Charles J. Buttigieg The description you gave of the Maypole is quite accurate, but the Kukkanja was something else altogether. Here is how Aquilina describes it: "The Kukkanja was a Carnival entertainment introduced by GM Zondadari in 1721. A crowd assembled on Palace Square on Carnival Monday and, at a given signal, attacked the hams, sausages and live animals tied to the long beams fixed against the guard house and covered over with branches of trees in leaf. The provisions became the property of those who , having seized them, were able to carry them off through the crowd." The Kukkanja and the Maypole are two completely separate and different traditions
Victor Laiviera
Jan 4th 2010, 19:00
According to Aquilina, "mewwwija" means "inhabited". So "Xagħra mewwija" means inhabited land.
David Dandria
Jan 4th 2010, 18:07
@ L. Galea "marble tablet dated 125 years BC"/ Surely that would be a fake. Re "mewwija", the following is an extract from Trevor Zahra's novel "Is-seba trongiet mewwija" (title based one of the fables of Patri Manel Magri): "Nannti kienet tghid li mewwija tfisser mghammra, mimlija, ghax kif se taraw it-trongiet [ =grapefruit ] kienu mimlijin b'xi haga. Imma jien nahseb li mewwija tfisser ukoll imsahhra."
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 4th 2010, 17:52
Mewwija denotes the more common phrase 'Raba Saqwi' while barren land is refered to as 'Art Bali'. Barren land can also produce hence qara bali.
Adrian Borg Cardona
Jan 4th 2010, 17:43
Mr. J. Cauchi: contrary to what you say, the environmental NGOs would have applauded the building of Valletta. Environmental NGOs - as they have exaplained a million times to those who want to listen - are not against development - only against unsustainable development and development that harms our environment, especially when it goes against environmental and planning rules.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 4th 2010, 17:35
@ Joe Cassar. The maypole was a tall wooden pole erected to celebrate May Day or Midsummer. It used to be decorated with several long coloured ribbons suspended from the top, festooned with flowers, draped in greenery, hung with large circular wreaths, or adorned with other symbols or decorations. According to Albert W Agius ‘It Tezawru’, il- Kukkanja was precisely the Maltese name given to that feast.
pjattard
Jan 4th 2010, 17:08
"Any archeological remains were...." I do hope they are well guarded! Here in Birkirkara a milestone was removed from the pavement near Fantasy Tours office, when Psaila Street was being reconstructed, and it was never put back in its original place. Also, at the back door of San Anton Gardens there existed a small but cute old horse's trough, which was also removed and never seen again! So please yake real good care of these remains!
Jon Vercellono
Jan 4th 2010, 15:51
@Joseph Cauchi - Sorry to disagree, however, it seems as though Valletta was constructed in a very environmentally friendly and sustainable way (cisterns, etc.) in opposition to many of the modes of construction today. Indeed, the Knights would have been proud members of the environmental NGO's, applauded their efforts, recognised their ingenuity, and solicited their expertise.
Joseph cauchi
Jan 4th 2010, 15:44
Thank God, that at the times of Grand Master Jean de La Valette, there existed no environmental NGOs the likes of which we have nowadays; otherwise Mount Sceberras would be still in existence today and with no city to be proud of, as a World Heritage Site!
Kull deni hudu b’gid!
JC.
Joseph Cauchi
Jan 4th 2010, 15:06
Thank God, that at the times of Grand Master Jean de La Valette, there existed no environmental NGOs the likes of which we have nowadays; otherwise Mount Sceberras would be still in existence today and with no city to be proud of, as a World Heritage Site!
Kull deni hudu b’gid!
JC.
Galea. L
Jan 4th 2010, 14:03
I have dug up the text I referred to on p399 of the book I referred to. Maybe Frans Sammut would care to have a look at the book?
Frans Sammut
Jan 4th 2010, 13:25
@Victor Laiviera
Sorry, Vic. Did not notice your comment. I naturally see your point and fully concur. Malta's recent history starts from 7th June, is-Sebgha ta' Gunju. Without it there could be no development in the local political (and, hence, social) scene. I am sick and tired of repeating this - I almost said mantra, though it certainly is not. That date is the foundation of modern Malta. And the related monument is the best and truest testimony to the will and spirit of the Maltese people. The fact that some of us (I almost incorrectly wrote, we) are trying to discard the meaning of those events is simply a reflection of the dearth of the will to reflect on the part of some of us who unfortunately are at the helm of power and can influence the unfolding of contemporary thought ... or the lack of it.
Galea. L
Jan 4th 2010, 13:24
Once I was reading a French book where there was a reference to a certain Admiral of the Islamic fleet who seemed to have been famous who, if I remember correctly, was from one of the north African countries, most probably Morocco and who was named Moija (I can't remember the exact spelling in the French text but it sounded extremely similar if not exactly like Mewwija). I have a small note about the book (it could be another one but I think that it was this book) "Le Maroc et le Droit des Peches Maritime, 1983, Pichar Durand-Auzias, Paris by Lahlou Abdelkader which should be available at the University if anyone want to do some research. I have always wondered whether there was any connection between Xaghret Mewwija and this Admiral.
It is very interesting because on page 399 in the above mentioned book there is a reference to Professor Ahmed Tawfik El Madani who had published a photo of a marble tablet dated 125 years BC which tablet was found by Professor Idizolonito in America written in arabic that has great affinity to the Arabic still spoken in North Africa suggesting the Carthaginians discovered America Before Colombus.
Richard Galea
Jan 4th 2010, 13:11
So our pride,Valletta was build in 15 years.....no machinery, power tools, computers, consultants,.....and also no Mepa to help!!!....just a bit of common sense and strong arms our forefathers have left us a legacy to be proud of.
We on the other hand, have been doing our best these last 50 years to leave to our future generations something to remember......
Buggiba monument will represent the ultimate administrative/corruption chaos that prevailed in our times...and.....Mount Mahtab and Mount Tal Qroqq will be a testimonial of our material and intellectual philosophical/theological rubbish, we have accumulated in our times.
A. Vassallo
Jan 4th 2010, 13:07
@ Frans Sammut
According to Joseph Aquilina's Concise Maltese English English Maltese Dictionary "barren" means "ma jaghmilx wicc tajjeb" "raba` hazin" "(sigar) ma jipproducix hafna frott" eccetera.
But when I went to look for the word "mewwija" in the same dictionary, I could not find it, it does not exist. Any comments please? By the way, I am a Maltese language ex-student of yours back in the 70's at Naxxar Technical School.
Frans Sammut
Jan 4th 2010, 11:39
Has nobody ever heard of the proverb: "F'Xaghret Mewwija ghad kull xiber jiswa mija"? "Mewwija" does not mean "barren", rather the opposite.
victor pulis
Jan 4th 2010, 11:37
According to Balbi di Correggio during the siege of St. Elmo the Turks used to bury their dead behind their front lines somewhere in the vicinity where city gate now stands. of course these graves must have been disturbed less than a year later when the building of Valletta commenced.
Anthony Vella
Jan 4th 2010, 11:18
How come MEPA issued the permit??? LOL
Joe Cassar
Jan 4th 2010, 11:00
Where on earth did the author of this article get the idea that "il-kukkanja" and "the maypole" are the same thing?
There is absolutely no connection between them - except the fact that a pole is involved.
Victor Laiviera
Jan 4th 2010, 10:53
I wonder whether any future archeologists will find any trace of the imposing monument that once stood there to commemorate the events and the victims of the Sette Giugno - Malta's first step toward freedom and independence.