Heritage watchdog denies there are works on Gozo heritage site
Nearby works are being closely monitored
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) insisted on Wednesday that no construction works are being carried out within the Santa Verna Temple buffer zone or Area of Archaeological Importance in Xagħra, Gozo.
It also denied claims that it is failing to protect the area, saying it gave its input before permits for nearby development were issued, and it continues to closely monitor works.
It issued a statement after environmental NGO Flimkien Għal-Ambjent said on Tuesday that the site, a treasure trove of historical remains, was under assault by relentless development. It demanded that work be stopped.
The SCH said the site has been scheduled since 1994, together with a buffer zone. An Area of Archaeological Importance was added to it in 1998 through a separate scheduling exercise to provide further protection. (The scheduling is marked in dark blue on the map shown above.)
"The Superintendence would like to clarify that no construction works are being carried out within the Santa Verna Temple buffer zone or Area of Archaeological Importance, and where permitted, such works are subject to archaeological evaluation and monitoring," the SCH insisted.
The superintendence said the Ta’ Lablab site, indicated on the map issued by the FAA as 'Bones', was included as a rationalisation zone in 2008. A development application – PC 40/13 - was submitted and an archaeological evaluation was carried out under the guidance of the superintendence. The conclusions were presented to the Planning Authority.
"In line with the recommendations and conditions set in the PC application, works within the area have been subject to archaeological monitoring, and where necessary even archaeological evaluations," the SCH said.
"The Superintendence has been heavily involved in the monitoring and evaluations on site, with discoveries made, including funerary ones which have been scientifically and meticulously excavated. All cultural material recovered from these sites has been transferred to the Superintendence’s laboratory for post-excavation cleaning, study and conservation. Since the inclusion of the area within the development zone, a number of permits have been issued and executed, together with road formation in certain areas."
It said the topography of the site is such that extensive rock-cutting is required to achieve the established road levels, including the ground floor levels within the individual plots.
Working within these parameters, the Superintendence said it continues to closely monitor works within the area and carry out evaluations when necessary.
Referring to other works, covered under PA 5844/22 (also marked on the map as 'Stables'), the superintendence explained that the site lies outside the area of archaeological importance of Santa Verna, at a distance of 150m from the temple limits and 50m from the edge of the AAI.
"The Superintendence, as a statutory consultee to the planning process, evaluated the project proposed in the application, and found no objection. A permit was subsequently issued. Following the commencement of works, the Superintendence received a third-party report claiming the presence of megalithic remains in the area. A site inspection was conducted by the Superintendence, which did not yield such information. Third parties were informed of such," it said.
"The claim that there is a lack of action from the Superintendence is totally unfounded. The Superintendence is well aware of all the discoveries made, and works closely with the appointed archaeological monitors. Where necessary, archaeologists from the Superintendence area are intervening directly on site," it insisted.
"When assessing planning applications, the Superintendence carries out careful analysis of all heritage values that may be present on site, and requests any information necessary to provide an informed decision with all necessary safeguards as provided in the Cultural Heritage Act," it said.