The Prehistoric Antiquities Of The Maltese Islands

Sponsored by the Port Authority of Rotterdam

The stones dealt with in this study are non-figural (or aniconic) or, sometimes, semi-figural. They come from ritual contexts and, as such, act as a material representation of divine presence in their role as betyls. The Maltese islands are presented as a case study to demonstrate the phenomenon of continuity through a study of these stones.

This collection of essays provides a reassessment of the multifaceted evidence which emerged from excavations carried out in 1909 and 1959 in the settlement of Bahrija, both largely unpublished until now. Bahrija is a key site for understanding the later stages of Maltese prehistory before the beginning of the Phoenician colonial period.

In this generously illustrated book Robin Skeates establishes a well-defined methodology for an archaeology of the senses, produces a challenging new interpretative synthesis of Maltese prehistoric archaeology, and provides a rich archaeological case-study for the emergent interdisciplinary field of sensual culture studies.

The Maltese archipelago is a unique barometer for understanding cultural change in the central Mediterranean. Prehistoric people helped reshape the islands' economy and when Mediterranean maritime highways were being established, the islands became a significant lure to Phoenician colonists venturing from their Levantine homeland. Punic Malta also sat at the front line of regional hostilities until it fell to Rome. Preserved in this island setting are signs of people's endurance and adaptation to each new challenge. This book is the first systematic and up-to-date survey of the islands' archaeological evidence from the initial settlers to the archipelago's inclusion into the Roman world (c.5000 BC–400 AD). Claudia Sagona draws upon old and new discoveries and her analysis covers well-known sites such as the megalithic structures, as well as less familiar locations and discoveries. She interprets the archaeological record to explain changing social and political structures, intriguing ritual practices and cultural contact through several millennia.

The Maltese islands occupy a distinctive place in the knowledgescape of antiquarianism and archaeology. Exceptional prehistoric monuments and extraordinary remains from later periods - Phoenician, Punic, and Roman - have continued to lure researchers to this tiniest of Mediterranean archipelagos. This collection of twenty-four papers is presented to an outstanding scholar, Anthony Bonanno, by his colleagues, former students, and friends to celebrate his remarkable achievements in the study of ancient Malta. The papers reflect his broad range of interests over a career spanning fifty years that in many respects shaped the direction of archaeology on the islands. They bridge prehistoric and classical studies, and tackle diverse topics that place the archipelago in its Mediterranean context: antiquarianism, palaeo-ecology, contextual studies, art and architecture, artefact studies, technology, economy, and identity. An epilogue written by a number of friends is a reflection of the honorand's passion for travel, discovery and engagement with people from all walks of life.

This book synthesizes the archaeology of the Maltese archipelago from the first human colonization c. 5000 BC through the Roman period (c. 400 AD). Claudia Sagona interprets the archaeological record to explain changing social and political structures, intriguing ritual practices, and cultural contact through several millennia.