VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A major archaeological site in Gozo is under threat from nearby development, prompting urgent appeals from heritage campaigners for government intervention.
The Santa Verna Temple landscape in Xagħra, dating back to around 5000 BC, has recently yielded discoveries described as internationally significant. Among them is a unique Neolithic burial pit containing the remains of children, some arranged with skulls placed inside one another. Experts say the find predates the Ġgantija Temples by some 2,000 years and offers rare insights into prehistoric ritual practices.
Despite its importance, construction machinery has been observed operating in the area almost daily. Two applications currently before the Planning Authority seek approval for 18 houses, swimming pools, and new roads within close proximity of the temple’s buffer zone. Hearings concluded last week with both applications suspended, pending further reports from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) and submissions from objectors.
Heritage organisations have raised concerns over official handling of the discoveries. Archaeologist Dawn A. Saliba warned that bulldozing soil in the area risks irretrievable loss of scientific data.
The campaign to safeguard the site has gathered cross-party political backing and more than 800 signatures on a parliamentary petition. Activists are calling for an immediate Conservation Order, expanded protection zones, and independent monitoring to prevent further damage.
Scholars note that the Santa Verna complex, part of Malta’s UNESCO-listed prehistoric temple network, represents evidence of continuous settlement throughout the Neolithic period. Campaigners warn that continued development could result in an “irreversible loss” to both Malta’s cultural heritage and international understanding of prehistory.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
