Mtarfa remains 'not silo pits'

Preliminary investigations by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) on a development site in Mtarfa showed that remains found in the ground were not silo pits, as had been speculated.

The structures found may have served different purposes, such as tree pits, however investigations are still underway and a definite conclusion is expected to be reached by early next week as there is still some work to be done, SCH officer Nathaniel Cutajar said when contacted.

The SCH was set up by virtue of the Cultural Heritage Act in 2002 to fulfil the duties of the government in ensuring the protection and accessibility of Malta's cultural heritage.

Its role includes advising and coordinating with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on issues regarding land use and development in order to safeguard cultural heritage when considering applications for planning permission relating to development affecting items, sites, buildings or landscapes.

Mr Cutajar explained that the excavations on the building site, in Triq Dar Il-Kaptan, were development driven.