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MPs declare interests in development concessions
James Debono
Part of an area identified by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority as having archaeological importance, has been proposed by the government for inclusion in the new development boundaries.
The area is a pocket of land opposite Church street in Xaghra, Gozo, a site that used to belong to the Church but was transferred to the government following the Church-State agreement.
As the careful examination of the numerous pockets of land identified by MEPA and cabinet in their quest to extend development boundaries unfolds, it is becoming evident that some of the identified areas are particularly sensitive and have little justification for being included.
The area in Xaghra is in very close proximity of ix-Xaghra ta’Ghajn Lukin, an area which was protected under the 1925 Antiquities Act. The area was afforded protection status on the advice of eminent archaeologist Sir Temi Zammit who had carried out excavations in the area.
The site also lies in the vicinity of Santa Verna Neolithic site, which predates Ggantija by 2,000 years. This site is located in the fields west of Sant’ Antnin chapel.
According to archaeologist David Trump a scatter of prehistoric shreds around this site suggests that they are the remains of a small temple, as was confirmed by excavation by Ashby and Bradley back in 1911.
A further dig in 1961 showed that Santa Verna was the site of a village, as was also the case with several of the temples in Malta like Mgarr, Skorba and Kordin III.
The close proximity of the site included in the proposed schemes, to these archaeological zones is an indication that the area could also contain prehistoric remains.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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