An exhibition entitled Core and Periphery: Mdina and Safi in the 9th and 10th centuries focuses on medieval times in Malta and is the first of a series which will be shedding further light on this epoch. 

In collaboration with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and the University of Malta, this exhibition presents some of the results obtained from two rescue archaeological excavations that were carried out in Mdina in 2008 and in Safi in 2015.

Both excavations yielded precious archaeological information on Malta’s Dark Ages – a period of dramatic historical change that saw the end of Byzantine domination and the arrival of the Arabs in the islands – one of the least understood, yet crucial moments of change in Maltese history. 

The exhibition runs at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta until January 31. Admission is free of charge. A publication by Heritage Malta, with detailed information relating to 9th and 10th century medieval Malta and including studies of the archaeological excavations in Mdina and Safi, is available for sale from all Heritage Malta sites and museums. Further information may be obtained from Heritage Malta’s website www.heritagemalta.org.