Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of Maltese Islands (55)

These tombs located in the parish priest’s residence in Kerċem are composed of two rock-cut chambers with the larger having an average diameter of 1.5 metres and a depth of approximately one metre.

The upper part of the chambers has been cut away in a past intervention, possibly during the construction of the parish church during the late 19th century.

Original tool marks are still visible on the chamber walls, which appear to have been smoothed down, possibly by using pebbles. One of the chambers has a small annexe which may have been used as an ossuary. Within the main chamber, articulated skeletons in a crouched position are still extant. Pottery fragments and chert tools were discovered together with the burials.

The feature was reported on discovery by the parish priest of the locality and the architect of the project in 2008.

There is no previous record of prehistoric remains found in the immediate area. The closest reference for prehistoric remains is located 200 metres to the northwest within the grounds of the government nursery.

The site is considered to have a high level of historical significance at a national level in that it provides important data relating to burial practices in a specific archaeological period.

Mepa scheduled the Kerċem tombs as a Class B national monument as per Government notice 1225 dated December 10, 2010.