Archaeological ruins found at the site of the new Medavia hangar in Safi were found to be of the late Roman period and work to protect and preserve them started yesterday.

The ruins were unearthed during excavations on the site of the Medavia hangar last week and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage was alerted.

Malta Industrial Parks Ltd said the site had been fully cleared and surveyed, with a roofing structure capable of handling 40 tons at one pressure point having been designed to go over the ruins.

The site contains 10 burial chambers and the new plans include a manhole to allow archaeological works to be carried out should they be required.

Nathaniel Cutajar, from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, said the plans had been found adequate. They were subsequently approved.

A few years ago, workers found remains from the same period near the Xarolla windmill in Żurrieq, which are now covered in perspex.