News • November 30 2003

Archaeological remains found under Cathedral sacristy

Julian Manduca
A number of archaeological remains some of which date from the Tarxien temple period have been found when digging was carried out in a room under the sacristy, MaltaToday has learned.
Gorg Azzopardi, assistant curator at the Gozo museums, told MaltaToday that the Cathedral administration informed him of the find and that he has documented each piece. A few shards were confirmed to date from the Tarxien period by renowned archaeologist David Trump, indicating that the area could hold other treasures.
Most of the pottery found, some of which were found intact, date from the late medieval period, and some rock cut features were also discovered.
MaltaToday is, however, informed that the Cathedral administration did not inform the museum authorities immediately of the finds, and that MEPA was not informed either for a full three months after the first archaeological remains were found.
julian@maltamag.com