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Nicholas Vella (Ed), Malta Archaeological Review Issue 10. 2015, 80 pp.

Slowly but surely, the efforts of the Archaeological Society of Malta to bring its journal up to date are bearing fruit.

However, what is more remarkable is the fact that recent issues have shown a dramatic improvement, not only in the excellent presentation and printing, but also in the quality of the contributions following the decision to have all submissions refereed. The journal records the passing away of two archaeologists with close Malta connections. John D. Evans, the author of the monumental The Prehistoric Antiquities of the Maltese Islands, who passed away in 2011, was instrumental in determining the basic pottery sequence of our prehistory.

Maria Pia Rossignani had connections with the Italian archaeological mission since the 1960s and ended up as its director in 2001. She was particularly associated with the Tas-Silġ and San Pawl Milqi sites.

Dating to the early 7th century BC, making it one of the oldest shipwrecks in the central Mediterranean, it was recorded by state-of-the-art technologies that produced exceptional 3D images that have already revealed very interestingly and previously unknown facts. Maritime archaeologist Timmy Gambin provides the details, while expressing the considered hope that the wreck will produce more exciting finds.

Gambin and Anthony Burgess are the co-authors of a paper on the underwater aviation heritage of World War II around Malta. For over three years, the skies over Malta witnessed constant dogfights with numerous planes crashing on land and in the sea.

While quantifying exactly the number of crashes in the sea is well-nigh impossible, these become more significant since it is impossible to find any surviving crashes on land, other than occasional fragments.

The authors have built up a database of 444 crashed aircraft for a tentative broad statistical and spatial analysis that could prove an invaluable first step in fully valorising this aspect of our heritage.

Recent issues have shown a dramatic improvement

Incidentally, George Camilleri writes about the pioneering efforts of O.F. Gollcher (1889-1962) in encouraging underwater archaeology around the islands in the past three years of his life. He indeed played a seminal role, together with the British services, which the author fully explains.

The megalithic site at Xrobb l-Għaġin is revisited by Ruben P. Borg and Reuben Grima. Believed to have been mostly destroyed owing to the erosion of the cliffs on which it lies, it was discovered exactly 100 years ago and first excavated by Temi Zammit.

Anton Bugeja analyses the recently rediscovered contract, which is accompanied by a plan, to give an excellent idea of the landscape and features at the site before it was subjected to clearing in the 1820s.

Cynthianne Spiteri Debono of the University of Tubingen and Oliver Craig of the University of York present an exciting new possible means of analysis that could lead to a greater understanding of the fare of prehistoric meaning.

By analysing through gas chromatography the presence of fat in ceramic containers (by drilling just under the surface to avoid later contaminations), it may be possible to identify prehistoric culinary practices. The paper, based on 22 shards from Early Neolithic vessels from Skorba, opens exciting new prospects.

Anthony Bonanno discusses the possible identity of the head of a bearded deity originally found by Temi Zammit in the Roman Domus excavations but which was stolen from its showcase in the 1980s. The author proposes his own identification based on his expert knowledge of classical statuary.

The loss of this head is of course lamentable but, what is even worse, is the misguided and ridiculous overpainting of the apse of the cave church of St Leonard at Il-Lunzjata outside Rabat. This is one point made in the editorial which calls out for a greater sense of responsibility in the care of our heritage, especially by those who pretend they know it all.

Details about the society and subscription information about its journal are available online.

www.archsoc.org.mt

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