FAA hits out at superintendence for failing to protect prehistoric temple site

Environment NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħar has hit out at the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage for failing to protect the Sta Verna temple area in Xagħra, Gozo, as it is legally obliged to do by the Cultural Heritage Act.

Santa Verna includes the remains of a five-apse temple and, according to FAA, has a history spanning the entire Maltese prehistoric period, beginning around 5000 BC.

The NGO said on Monday that despite public calls, the superintendence had failed to issue an Emergency Conservation Order and had instead approved an application for the building of seven terraced houses on a site where a prehistoric pit was found containing skulls arranged in ritual burial pattern. 

The FAA said the building permit is due to be issued on Tuesday. 

A pit containing human remains at Sta Verna.

It said the superintendence had dismissed the site's importance in contrast to the views of Caroline Malone, a British archaeologist, emeritus professor at Queen's University Belfast specialised in Mediterranean Prehistory, who had worked on the Ta’ Verna site.

She wrote: "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 reveal Malta's unique prehistory. There are almost no comparable landscapes remaining anywhere in Malta, something Ministers and the SCH should understand".