All’s well that ends well (1)

I have been informed that Heritage Malta have removed the allegation regarding my father at the Għar Dalam museum.

I am deeply grateful to Heritage Malta for removing the allegation of forgery relating to my late father, Kenneth Oakley, from the Għar Dalam cave museum. This whole episode has been very upsetting for me and my family and I am greatly relieved that it has now been resolved.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Anthony Bonanno, of the University of Malta, for his strong support over this issue (June 5), knowing how academics normally prefer to avoid public controversies. I will treasure even more his book on Malta’s archaeology, which I acquired on my first visit to Malta 20 years ago.

I would also like to thank the Natural History Museum in London, where my father worked for many years, for their tactful help in resolving this issue.

Finally, I would like to thank George Zammit Maempel, the former curator of the Għar Dalam museum, for his role in correcting the museum display. I know that would have meant a great deal to my father who held Prof. Zammit Maempel in the highest regard.

One of the things that pleases me most about all this is that my fondness for Malta and my enthusiasm for its rich archaeological and historical heritage has, if anything, been enhanced. I originally called for “fair play” in my letter to The Times (May 30) and I am delighted that that is what I have got.