University study finds Malta's hidden landscape
Marine scientists have discovered an exceptionally well-preserved terrestrial landscape submerged in the coastal waters of the Maltese Islands, which reveals how the archipelago would have looked like 20,000 years ago.
At this time, Europe was experiencing the last ice age and sea level in the Mediterranean Sea was 130 metres lower than at present.
Malta, Gozo and Comino were connected and the archipelago was two and a half times larger than it is today.
Dingli Cliffs towered 380m above sea level whilst Valletta was located 10km inshore.
The coastline from Marsalforn to Pembroke consisted of steep coastal cliffs that were incised by more than 20 valleys.
Numerous limestone plateaus hosted collapsed caves and featured landslides along their margins.
A 40 km wide land bridge connected southeast Malta all the way to the south of Sicily.
Sea level rise during the last 20,000 years has sunk 450 km2 of this landscape, meaning that the largest part of the Maltese Islands is today under water.
By surveying the seafloor around the Maltese Islands with state-of-the-art mapping technology, an international team of geologists has reconstructed the majority of this submerged landscape in great detail.
The results are going to be published in ‘Marine Geology’, a leading international journal reporting on developments in marine geology and geophysics.
They are important for a number of reasons. Several parts of this submerged landscape, such as caves and valleys, could have provided ideal sites for preserving evidence of prehistoric human occupation or animal activity. Further investigations may shed light on the origin of the Maltese megalithic society and animal migration routes to sites such as Ghar Dalam.
Moreover, submerged landscapes also comprise archives of past changes in climate and sea level, and their study will be crucial for predicting future climate change and its impact on the Maltese Islands.
The study also identifies which areas of the Maltese coastal waters constitute a hazard to seafloor infrastructure, deserve protection from human activities, or provide attractions to divers, thus contributing valuable information to marine spatial planners.
This study was led by Aaron Micallef from the University of Malta and forms part of Mapscape, a project involving CNR-ISMAR, National Oceanography Centre, CNR-IRPI and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
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61 Comments
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Albert Cilia-Vincenti
Jan 4th, 20:25
So if we lower the sea level, we don't need a tunnel to Gozo!
Mr Joseph Bartolo
Jan 3rd, 22:27
I am sure there is so much more about our islands that we know. Who knows we may be a very tiny part of the lost advanced civilization of Atlantis ? :) Keep up the great work and may you have further sucess in your research and further discoveries both on a local and international level :)
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Jan 4th, 21:25
The architect of the Mosta rotunda, Giorgio Grognet de Vasse was a big proponent of Malta being the site of Atlantis .
Joseph Mifsud
Jan 3rd, 19:20
Property speculators envy such a report and they wish the world passes through another Ice Age so that there is more land they can build villas and apartments on, for foreigners to buy.
Joseph Borg
Jan 3rd, 18:46
@martin chetcuti
I said it is less then 60sqm. My calculation was wrong previously infact it is approx. 30sqm.
martin chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 18:56
@Joseph Borg
30 sqm is out of established rules and if it is in shell form there is a problem when the applicant apply for a compliance certificate for water and electricity...
Joseph Borg
Jan 3rd, 19:57
@Martin chetcuti
It is occupied now and with all services installed.
martin chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 20:32
@Joseph Borg
I do suggest that you refer this case to Mepa for further information. Give site details or any PA numbers that you can also find online and you can be given details. A 30 sqm residential unit built only 5 years ago is either illegal or simply not 30 sqm !!!
Matthew Farrugia
Jan 3rd, 18:46
the caves and underwater topography around our shores definitely reflect these findings ... a photographic example can be seen on this link documenting some parts around Sliema http://matfar.co.uk/?portfoliocpt=fortizza-reef-coral-gardens-sliema
Joseph Barbara
Jan 3rd, 18:06
The general public's opinion of MEPA is not something they should be proud of. In fact, the public's perception is that of subtle corruption and favoritism towards the financially strong developers whilst the general public is bullied into passive acceptance. As the Maltese saying goes "il-qasba ma ccaqcaqx ghal xejn" and as usual, complaints fall on deaf ears unless one has powerful friends.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Jan 3rd, 21:13
You got that right Joseph.
Funny how our supposedly poorer and less educated ancestors built far more aesthetically pleasing structures around these two isles then the cubic block upon block approach of today's build and dash approach.
anthony sultana
Jan 3rd, 17:58
I study geography, and I am sure that this story is true, but also there was times that the water level was higher than it is now, was approximately 100 meters higher than it is now, the evidence is every where. Look on all the cliffs that are made of limestone and one can see fishbones and seashell every where you look. But my question is how long this was,anybody knows please tell me,its scary .
Daniel Dimech
Jan 3rd, 21:21
vera il famuzi fossili ...
Jeremy Azzopardi
Jan 3rd, 22:19
I believe something in the range of millions of years ago - the period of the actual formation of the bedrock forming our islands.
fred sammut
Jan 3rd, 16:36
ie sa 20,000 sena ohra rabat u dingli jifdal...... : (
martin chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 16:27
@Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
For your information there are minimum floor area established by Mepa for example a 3 bedroom apartment should be no less then 96 sqm, I know of several apartments in the 150 sqm region. I wish to know the area in sqm that you deem fit for rabbit hutches ??
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Jan 3rd, 16:47
They still look like rabbit hutches and an eyesore to boot in their seemingly perpetual unfinished shell state.
We certainly don't need anymore of these built to spoil the skyline so a greedy few can make a financial profit.
Joseph Borg
Jan 3rd, 17:44
Magenbi tela appartament go inqas min 60 sqm. Dan nahseb taf bih il mepa ghax ilu mibni xi 5 snien biss.
martin chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 18:05
@Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
There are building zones by Mepa and as long developing is within that there is nothing wrong. And to say that all are Rabbit Hutches is a definition by those who enjoy doing harm...
@Joseph Borg
60 sqm is for a 1 bedroom apartment under the new regulations..
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Jan 3rd, 21:02
@ martin chetcuti,
I don't enjoy doing harm but I am also honest and alot of these still unsold and unfinished eyesores are of the impractical size of a rabbit hutch and that is the primary reason why they are unsold along with the unrealistic asking price.You have to learn to accept the truth no matter how inconvenient it is and no amount of unwarranted
name calling will change these facts.
martin chetcuti
Jan 3rd, 21:17
@Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Very sorry but when you generalise you are Never honest as you are claiming..As in everything in life there is good and bad, nice and ugly, expensive and least expensive etc etc
Charles Grixti
Jan 4th, 03:54
In fact I recently went to see one such rabbit hutch - seafront no less. The kitchen was dispersed into the tiny sitting room and the so called view was a shady triangle that you would see the sea through when you cramped your neck at a certain angle. And they were asking over euro 2K for it too.
martin chetcuti
Jan 4th, 13:58
@Charles Grixti
Be persistent its a buyers market for sure not all seafronts apartments fall under the same criteria that you mentioned. Be positive...
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Jan 4th, 21:22
@ martin chetcuti,
There is no other name that suits these tiny constructions as a rabbit hutch.
So would your hurt feelings be soothed if we called them chicken coops instead?
Honesty does not mean no offense will be taken by those who have a dog in this race.
I call them as I see them.
Learn to accept it.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Jan 4th, 21:51
@ martin chetcuti,
There is no other name that suits these tiny constructions as a rabbit hutch.
So would your hurt feelings be soothed if we called them chicken coops instead?
Honesty does not mean no offense will be taken by those who have a dog in this race.
I call them as I see them.
Learn to accept it.
Stephen Fleri Soler
Jan 3rd, 16:09
Very interesting indeed. Should help in further studies / discoveries underwater. If not mistaken, I had once read that there is what looks like a temple under water, further out in the sea from Marsascala. Who knows exactly?
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Jan 3rd, 15:32
Can you imagine the extra amount unfinished tiny apartment shells that could have been built if the maltese archipelago was still two and a half times the size of what it is now. The contractors and speculators and banks would have been in limestone and cinder block rabbit hutch heaven.
Stephen Farrugia
Jan 3rd, 15:21
Well done Aaron. looking forward to read the complete study.
Interesting to see where the cart-ruts that stop dead at the edge of the sea go to now that you've mapped the missing terrain.
Also interesting to see if this will prompt other researchers to continue studying the area for other human remains such as walls [rubble?] or ancient artefacts or Mnajdra-like structures.
Stephen
Ray Buhagiar
Jan 3rd, 15:03
I find nothing original about this study. If the Mediterranean dried up (and there is evidence that once it was really dry) then the basin would be a valley landscape. So what?
John Zammit Ph.D.
Jan 3rd, 16:18
I agree with you Ray, in fact studies show that once the Mediterranean was dry and after there was an opening in the strait of Gibraltar, water came in from the Atlantic Ocean and those who lived in the Mediterranian basin drowned and Malta which was adjoined to Italy and Africa became a small island.
K Attard
Jan 3rd, 20:12
I don't agree. Studies such as this one show how coastal zones respond to changes in sea level and climate. It's also valuable information for ecological assessments, policy-making, archaeology, engineering, oil exploration, fish farming...
We're very heavily dependent on our coastal environment. Quite frankly, it amazes me that one can think that this information is of no use to anyone.
paul camilleri
Jan 3rd, 14:52
now you all know what this means?? we need a massive amount of landfill to reclaim our islands original size!!!!!
vincent a galea
Jan 3rd, 14:51
Konna aħjar meta konna għar....???
Alfred Grech
Jan 3rd, 14:38
Very interesting information - never knew about this.
fred sammut
Jan 3rd, 16:32
never been to Ghar Dalam my friend?? from where you think that hippos or elephants came from.....
Jeffrey Mallia
Jan 3rd, 14:37
Can anybody answer this long time question please ?? Where did the word GOZO exactly came from ??
Ray Buhagiar
Jan 3rd, 15:00
Gozo comes from the spanish (Latin) verb gozar - to enjoy. The latin would be gaudium meaning joy.
I just made this up but one could write a whole thesis about this and the University of Malta would honour your with a doctorate in linguistics. :)
Anthony Scicluna
Jan 3rd, 15:20
http://www.islandofgozo.org/about
@Ray: your shining brilliance amazes me
K Šanjić
Jan 3rd, 14:21
Well Done!
Christine Bailey
Jan 3rd, 13:59
Well done and thank you for sharing this study. Given these findings it is highly possible to find other prehistoric remains underwater. This area of the Mediterranean continues to provide ground for further studies.
Keep up the good work!
A Spiteri
Jan 3rd, 13:36
ara kemm nibnu flats fuq dik l'art kollha kieku illum ehh!!!
Joseph Micallef
Jan 3rd, 14:30
Is this all you can contribute.........
This might prove someday that our temples a much older than what their age is set today. We only need to find remains of other similar structures burried under the surface of the sea.
Stephen Vella
Jan 3rd, 13:11
It would have been nice if we still have that area still as land
Joseph Borg
Jan 3rd, 13:01
Malta kienet kelb bilqeda jferfer denbu. Illum gejna huta. Lol
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Jan 3rd, 14:46
Great observation as our island looked uncannilly canine.in shape
Ms.D. Galea
Jan 3rd, 12:32
What a facinating study
Well done.
Jacob Vella
Jan 3rd, 12:09
Well done to Aaron and his team - fascinating work!
c scudi
Jan 3rd, 11:47
How fascinating is all this..Congratulations to Aaron Micallef and his team..A first class discovery..only problem it seems that the Islands have shrunk considerably!!
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Jan 3rd, 11:29
Fascinating pictures which should shed more light on the current island topography its origins and how it changed to the present form.. I also suspect that this information could be quite useful for another attempt at inshore oil and gas drilling. Combined with the new fracking technique there might be the opportunity of finding commercially viable oil and gas reserves.
Christopher Grech
Jan 3rd, 11:23
I think that this study is very interesting and worthwhile. However i disagree about the timeline.
Why was 20,000 years ago mentioned? Any serious methodology concerning this would be most welcome. I look forward to see it if it does exist.
C Cassar
Jan 3rd, 11:41
The key regadring 20k years is that at that time the planet was in the grips of the last ice age which in turn reduced sea levels.
Sharon Pace
Jan 3rd, 11:21
Extremely interesting! Keep it up and wishing lots of sucess and new discoveries!
Cecil Herbert Jones
Jan 3rd, 11:21
This is interesting of course, but more intriguing would be the discovery of human dwellings.
Marianne Tabone
Jan 3rd, 11:03
This is really interesting! Congratulations on this work!
ANTHONY PAVIA
Jan 3rd, 11:39
Agreed!
G Vella
Jan 3rd, 10:45
How could the Maltese islands have been an archipelago and at the same time connected via a land-bridge to Sicily?
Anthony Scicluna
Jan 3rd, 10:56
G, how the archipelago "would" have looked is the key word. Today it is an archipelago; in the past it wasn't
Anthony Scicluna
Jan 3rd, 10:32
For anyone interested: http://www.cartruts.com/pages/prehistoricshoreline.htm
D M Grech
Jan 3rd, 11:49
Thanks for the link. That's an excellent professional website all about cart ruts.
Anthony Scicluna
Jan 3rd, 12:33
You're welcome. I found it a few months back. Aaron's study is quite interesting
Jonathan Gerada
Jan 3rd, 10:29
great work! keep it up!
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