In our islands’ prehistory, finds were apparently not restricted to our main islands of Malta and Gozo, and marginally to Comino, but also to our islet of Filfla (Pepper Island?)

Filfla island is claimed to have had Copper Age and Bronze Age sherds, a few of which are dubiously said to be preserved in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. Grid reference 467605 (Evans 1971). Bronze Age, or later cart ruts were reported by Fr Emmanuel Magri as existing on Filfla until the end of the 19th century. (Teuma 2003).

“Temple period remains have also been found on the islet, probably belonging to a sailor’s shrine. These include pottery, jars and bones of animals. Whether it was inhabited or just visited is however still an open discussion…” (Farrugia Randon 2006:43).

Sir Themistocles Zammit reported finds of Temple Period pottery on Filfla in the20th century.

Next to, and west of Filfla, across a narrow channel, lie the large rock of Ix-Xutu l-Kbir, also known as Il-Blata ta’ Santa Marija; and the reef of Ix-Xutu ż-Żgħir which barely reaches above sea level, all surrounded  by deep sea.

The submerged reef of Stork Rock lies 700 metres to the south of Filfla islet. It is a relatively remote hazard to navigation. Marine surveys were conducted on Stork Rock in bygone years.

Filfla and its adjacent rocks do not normally figure on recent maps of Malta.

Oil platforms or ship rigs often anchor nowadays in or near the Congreve Channel.

Filfla islet, lying south of Malta, is visible from Għar Ħasan, Wied iż-Żurrieq and its Blue Grotto, Għar Lapsi, Ġebel Ciantar and Il-Wardija ta’ San Ġorg above Fawwara, and Dingli Cliffs. In fine weather, it is also visible from southwest Gozo at Ta’ Sarraflu cliffs, lying some 20 miles away.

If tiny Filfla has indeed offered the prehistoric remains claimed above, one can just imagine how much more material has been, and still is present, in Gozo and Malta. Some waiting to be discovered or rediscovered.

Our islands’ prehistory underlies our more recent culture and history.