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TO SAVE THE SANTA VERNA LANDSCAPE!
TO SAVE THE SANTA VERNA LANDSCAPE!
Although relatively unknown today, Santa Verna is among Malta's oldest and largest Neolithic prehistoric sites. Just about 1km SW of Ġgantija and the Xagħra Circle, the plateau all of these monuments sit upon is one of the most important areas pertaining to Maltese Archaeology--however, like so much else in Malta, it is on the cusp of being destroyed, despite its crucial importance to Mediterranean prehistory. (You can read more about the issue here and sign the petition to advocate for its protection.)
The area around the temple spans one of longest, continuous Neolithic settlements. It started during--or even before--the Għar Dalam Early Neolithic Phase (before 5400 BCE), and with only one extended interruption, lasted to at least 2500 BCE--the famous "Temple Period" of the Late Neolithic Tarxien Phase--so, we're talking about a near-continuous occupation spanning thousands of years.
The area around the temple spans one of longest, continuous Neolithic settlements. It started during--or even before--the Għar Dalam Early Neolithic Phase (before 5400 BCE), and with only one extended interruption, lasted to at least 2500 BCE--the famous "Temple Period" of the Late Neolithic Tarxien Phase--so, we're talking about a near-continuous occupation spanning thousands of years.
The area around the temple spans one of longest, continuous Neolithic settlements. It started during--or even before--the Għar Dalam Early Neolithic Phase (before 5400 BCE), and with only one extended interruption, lasted to at least 2500 BCE--the famous "Temple Period" of the Late Neolithic Tarxien Phase--a near-continuous occupation of thousands of years.
With the recent discovery of a Mesolithic site of hunter-gatherers in Mellieħa (click here), it is very possible that the Santa Verna Plateau was a haven for them, as well--especially as there are multitudes of caves (many recently destroyed) and rock outcrops nearby.
Below are some of the findings from the area. As one can see, some of the discoveries are striking-- unique and beautiful additions to the Maltese Neolithic architectural and artistic repertoire.
(The following images are drawn from Mclaughlin, et al.'s chapter on Santa Verna in Temple Places: Excavating Cultural Sustainability in Prehistoric Malta, John Evans's 1971 Prehistoric Antiquities of the Maltese Islands--both of which reference Ashby, et al.'s 1913 report within the Papers of the British School at Rome.)
- Multiple phases of a 5-apse temple, including at least three distinct torba floor levels, likely constructed centuries apart
- A Neolithic site—perhaps a village—predating the temple period
- Unique Temple Period artefacts: burials with Ħal Saflieni style amulets upon crystalline rock, a mosaic cobblestone path, several hearths (one containing quicklime), and a mysterious structure made of geometric stone tiles
- A human and animal burial pit, with many bones belonging to “younger individuals” and seven skulls of “immature individuals” (likely children) in a line
- An obsidian arrowhead similar to two found in Ġgantija, shedding light on hunting
- A 5th millennium stamped pottery sherd in the Sicilian Stentinello style, likely indicating origins of the prehistoric Maltese or trade
- Prehistoric soil holding ancient DNA, seeds, pollen, ash, pieces of tools, fragments of ceramics—all critical environmental and archaeological data
- Roman coloured glass and lozenge-shaped tiles
- Medieval copper coins, including one from the Aragonese period
(13th-15th century) - A 13th century Early Christian gravesite containing a male
and young adult skeletons - Evidence of a medieval chapel
- Remains of a 15th century farm
PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
As this article is being written, the Santa Verna landscape is being destroyed. Stables less than a few hundred metres away are being built. At least 18 houses with swimming pools are being planned right near the Neolithic children's gravesite and where another tomb may be nearby. (Click here to see the video of where they are going to construct the buildings near the ancient tombs.)
Even more egregious, MALTA-ARCH was informed by a local resident of Xagħra that the original archaeological monitor commissioned by the developer did not report the bones to the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) at all and that it was the resident who had to raise the alarm.
These are some of the images the resident took of the burial pit that was halfway bulldozed when she happened to walk by and notice remains. She immediately contacted the police and SCH--it was only after she raised the alarm that the bones (containing what looked like "burnt material" and the skulls of seven prehistoric children) were reported. She also noticed another pit that had been reported, but we do not know if any remains have been found within it.
These are some of the images the resident took of the burial pit that was halfway bulldozed when she happened to walk by and notice remains. She immediately contacted the police and SCH--it was only after she raised the alarm that the bones (containing what looked like "burnt material" and the skulls of seven prehistoric children) were reported. She also noticed another pit that had been reported, but we do not know if any remains have been found within it.
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Shockingly, through an Environmental and Planning Review Tribunal initiated through FAA, it was revealed that the SCH allowed for the destruction of the Ta LabLab cave system, situated right near the Neolithic tomb containing the children, for a price-tag of €5,000 referred to as a "Heritage Gain".
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As the video and images show, the Ta'LabLab cave system was situated near arable land and accessible groundwater. Within, natural barriers separated the caverns into different "rooms". Although we lobbied hard for its protection, we failed--an incalculable loss for our natural and cultural heritage--all for a price tag of €5,000.
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Sadly, what is on the horizon is even worse. Proposed roads are scheduled to cut through the existing archaeological buffer zone. (These are highlighted in yellow on the left map, and red on the right map). You can see how they cut through the archaeology buffer zone (outlined in blue on the right map), as well as near the Neolithic children-graves' area, which should have immediately been included in the buffer zone as soon as their bones were unearthed.
What does this tell us about the protection of our invaluable archaeological heritage?
* The Ta'Lablab Cave System was demolished for €5,000
* A resident was the one who noticed the bulldozing of a burial pit containing human remains, which was initially not reported to the SCH.
We do not know what else was not reported.
* A road cutting through the archaeological buffer zone has been approved, despite the fact that in its own 2012 assessment, it was stated that the road "should be excluded from the development scheme as it intrudes in part on the Buffer Zone of the Santa Verna Grade A archaeological monument".
* The Ta'Lablab Cave System was demolished for €5,000
* A resident was the one who noticed the bulldozing of a burial pit containing human remains, which was initially not reported to the SCH.
We do not know what else was not reported.
* A road cutting through the archaeological buffer zone has been approved, despite the fact that in its own 2012 assessment, it was stated that the road "should be excluded from the development scheme as it intrudes in part on the Buffer Zone of the Santa Verna Grade A archaeological monument".
WHY THIS IS MADNESS
Geophysical surveys between 2014 - 2019 recovered approximately 23,000 ceramic sherds from the Early Neolithic and Temple Period occupation. Such a large quantity may point to a village--perhaps also indicated by the tools found onsite (hammer, scrapers, mortars, a pestle, awls, and an arrowhead) and the large quantity of hearths and remnants of charcoal from olive and elm trees. Several charred seeds, including legumes (lentils or peas), emmer wheat, and barley also give us a sense of what was farmed and eaten. Are we really going to let developers tear up this prehistoric region--which is also a beautiful natural habitat--for a few houses and pools?
As Caroline Malone, the Director of the European Research Council's multi-million dollar FRAGSUS Project, which excavated near Santa Verna, states:
"Santa Verna extends to many scores of meters beyond the extant megaliths and scientific excavation reveals superficial remains over probably 3-5 hectares where our survey found significant prehistory. Beneath the surface there are deeply preserved ancient soils to depths of almost a meter, containing all forms of archaeological preservation- bones, seeds, pottery, structures, lithics and environmental materials that have the potential to truly understand Malta's unique prehistory. No other site explored on the islands has greater potential".
The following are two images displaying the extensive Neolithic pottery sherd distribution across Santa Verna's plateau.
As Caroline Malone, the Director of the European Research Council's multi-million dollar FRAGSUS Project, which excavated near Santa Verna, states:
"Santa Verna extends to many scores of meters beyond the extant megaliths and scientific excavation reveals superficial remains over probably 3-5 hectares where our survey found significant prehistory. Beneath the surface there are deeply preserved ancient soils to depths of almost a meter, containing all forms of archaeological preservation- bones, seeds, pottery, structures, lithics and environmental materials that have the potential to truly understand Malta's unique prehistory. No other site explored on the islands has greater potential".
The following are two images displaying the extensive Neolithic pottery sherd distribution across Santa Verna's plateau.
Professor Malone continues:
"The 2015 excavation revealed the layout of the complete temple structure, and this in turn strongly implies a much more extensive complex far beyond the visible megaliths. The fact that the land of the area was not intensively cultivated has ensured quite extraordinary preservation. The Maltese authorities should not even contemplate permitting this destructive landgrab!"
"The 2015 excavation revealed the layout of the complete temple structure, and this in turn strongly implies a much more extensive complex far beyond the visible megaliths. The fact that the land of the area was not intensively cultivated has ensured quite extraordinary preservation. The Maltese authorities should not even contemplate permitting this destructive landgrab!"
Charles French, the Lead Geoarchaeologist of the FRAGSUS Project, also summarizes the importance of the Santa Verna site:
"The Neolithic temple site of Santa Verna on the edge of Xaghra, although superficially seeming to be very poorly preserved and largely destroyed, has been demonstrated by recent excavations and survey (2014-19) to be equal in its information story of the past of Gozo and Malta to that of the nearby Ġgantija temple as well as the settlement / temple complex at Skorba.
"Beneath the earliest temple floor levels at Santa Verna (dated to c. 3800 BC) there is a fantastic sequence of earlier prehistoric remains: first strong evidence of some of the earliest human settlement on Gozo - of the pre-Għar Dalam period, or before c. 5400 BC and then of the Skorba period (5400-4800 BC) - both instances being a very rare occurrence on the Maltese Islands.
"After a period of possible abandonment, there was the development of at least five phases of temple building with intact floor levels present, dated to between about 3800-2500 BC.
"There are very few sites on the Maltese Islands with this breadth of time sequence surviving that chronicle the earliest Neolithic settlement and ceremonial life of its earlier prehistoric inhabitants, and consequently the whole of this promontory on which the Santa Verna temple resides is of utmost heritage importance to Malta. Santa Verna and its immediate environs form a very significant part of early Maltese history and should never be built upon".
Simon Stoddart, one of the Principal Investigators associated with FRAGSUS, describes archaeology as: "the study of landscapes at multiple scales, shaped by questions, guided by science". When the UK Society of Antiquaries asked him what could be saved "if the bulldozers halted long enough for a single reprieve, he replied, "A landscape. Prehistoric Malta – if we could only stop its destruction".
"The Neolithic temple site of Santa Verna on the edge of Xaghra, although superficially seeming to be very poorly preserved and largely destroyed, has been demonstrated by recent excavations and survey (2014-19) to be equal in its information story of the past of Gozo and Malta to that of the nearby Ġgantija temple as well as the settlement / temple complex at Skorba.
"Beneath the earliest temple floor levels at Santa Verna (dated to c. 3800 BC) there is a fantastic sequence of earlier prehistoric remains: first strong evidence of some of the earliest human settlement on Gozo - of the pre-Għar Dalam period, or before c. 5400 BC and then of the Skorba period (5400-4800 BC) - both instances being a very rare occurrence on the Maltese Islands.
"After a period of possible abandonment, there was the development of at least five phases of temple building with intact floor levels present, dated to between about 3800-2500 BC.
"There are very few sites on the Maltese Islands with this breadth of time sequence surviving that chronicle the earliest Neolithic settlement and ceremonial life of its earlier prehistoric inhabitants, and consequently the whole of this promontory on which the Santa Verna temple resides is of utmost heritage importance to Malta. Santa Verna and its immediate environs form a very significant part of early Maltese history and should never be built upon".
Simon Stoddart, one of the Principal Investigators associated with FRAGSUS, describes archaeology as: "the study of landscapes at multiple scales, shaped by questions, guided by science". When the UK Society of Antiquaries asked him what could be saved "if the bulldozers halted long enough for a single reprieve, he replied, "A landscape. Prehistoric Malta – if we could only stop its destruction".
So, what can be done?
We, along with so many other NGOs and activists are doing our best to protest against this destruction of our archaeological, natural, and cultural heritage. Please join us for a performance-protest at the Santa Verna Temple on Saturday, 1 November at 4pm.
(Click here for location.) We're happy to feature renowned poet Marlene Saliba, who has spent much time writing about and advocating for Malta's archaeological sites, as well as Japanese dancer, Shuntaro Yoshida, a European Research Area fellow studying the intersection of ecological awareness and dance under under a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship. They, along with us other performers, will lead you through an entrancing evening.
And please don't forget to sign and share our international petition!
(Click here for location.) We're happy to feature renowned poet Marlene Saliba, who has spent much time writing about and advocating for Malta's archaeological sites, as well as Japanese dancer, Shuntaro Yoshida, a European Research Area fellow studying the intersection of ecological awareness and dance under under a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship. They, along with us other performers, will lead you through an entrancing evening.
And please don't forget to sign and share our international petition!
