Works are currently underway to clear Peacock Gardens in Valletta as part of an ERDF project in which €800,000, part-financed by the European Union, are being invested.

The project comprises the rehabilitation of the heritage assets in the area, the installation of public space and recreational area for children and an interpretation centre for the Valletta World Heritage City.

Contracted monitoring professionals and experts have been on site this week together with developers to monitor trial trenches and pits and the further removal of layers of rubble.

They are monitoring discoveries within the fortifications in line with the conservation management plan.

The first excavations yielded examples of casemates which make part of the defensive systems probably dating back to the 16th century.

Exploratory archaeology has been directed at two of the casemates in the area by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

There are 10 casemates, a 'defensive wall' and a Second World War magazine pit in bomb-proof concrete. The latter has been uncovered and cleaned.

The excavations are being carried out as prescribed by the relevant government agencies.

Consultations with the planning authority are underway testing the extent of damage through tree planting. The trees are anchored to the top of a very lean casemate roof. The soil is being hoarded to be deposited appropriately.

Project architects and heritage experts are studying possibilities of integrating the systems discovered to the overall interpretation plan of the area.