A Punic tomb, dating back approximately 2,300 years, was uncovered during excavation work for a new car park opposite Mater Dei Hospital in Malta.
The discovery was made while trenching for water installation, and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) has overseen the site since the project’s start.
The tomb, part of a larger burial complex, includes three chambers carved into natural rock, each accessed through a central shaft. Remarkably, the chambers were sealed with original slabs and contained human remains and grave goods.
A team of archaeologists and osteologists has been carefully excavating and documenting the findings, which include skeletal remains, cremation urns, and other funerary artefacts.
These artefacts suggest the tomb was used during the Punic period, with some evidence of continued use into the early Roman era. The remains and objects have been transferred to the SCH laboratory for further analysis, including studies on age, sex, and pathology, and potential C14 dating and DNA analysis.
The collaboration between the Foundation for Medical Services, Infrastructure Malta, and SCH highlights Malta’s commitment to balancing development with heritage preservation. With the tomb fully excavated, work on the 130-space car park has resumed, and SCH will continue monitoring the site for further discoveries.
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