Update from Superintendence of Cultural Heritage below – Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar said last week that it “deplored the lack of protection of archaeology in Gozo and accused the authorities of “turning a blind eye to destruction of Gozo’s heritage.”

The NGO in a statement, highlighted the fact that “in the midst of NGOs’ uphill struggle to have the context of Ggantija protected, a construction site is being excavated close to the scheduled Santa Verna Temple buffer zone.”

It pointed out that in its report, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage attested that, “there is a risk that ground disturbance in this area may uncover cultural heritage features” and imposed the condition “Any clearing or excavation works (including the removal of the existing flooring, soil and/or fill) are to be monitored by an archaeologist who has to be approved and directed by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage… The discovery of cultural heritage features may require the amendment of approved plans and the rerouting of services.”

However in reality, FAA said that the excavation works have “exposed supposedly protected caves on the site, yet far from amending the approved plans, work is continuing unabated.”The organisation said that residents reported the presence of bones and pottery in the exposed subsoil and the lack of monitoring to assess the finds, “yet the excavation debris is being disposed of without being archaeologically examined.”

FAA stated that “all attempts to report to the Planning Authority have been unsuccessful as the PA refused to send officers to inspect, claiming it only acts on infringement of plans and not of permit conditions. ”

Similarly, approaches to the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage met with resistance as the SCH was more intent on protecting “the privacy rights of a private site” than on taking immediate action, the NGO said.

FAA insisted that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has become an authority “shrouded in secrecy, refusing to reveal whether works of cultural heritage value are found on sites, or whether heritage features have been reported, as developers are legally bound to do.”

FAA further highlighted the fact that protection of cultural heritage is enshrined in both our constitution and the Cultural Heritage Act, 2002, which stipulates:

“Every citizen of Malta as well as every person present in Malta shall have the duty of protecting the cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is an asset of irreplaceable spiritual, cultural, social and economic value, and its protection and promotion are indispensable for a balanced and complete life. (3) The State in Malta shall have the duty of establishing and maintaining administrative regulatory structures of superintendence so as to ensure that this heritage is protected and conserved”

The works being undertaken, including the damage to the caves, are clearly a violation of this law, and Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar urges the Police to investigate this case with urgency, before Gozo loses even more of its unique heritage.

Update:

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage said that it wishes to clarify that the site (already partially evaluated in 2012) is currently subject to archaeological monitoring by an authorised archaeologist under the supervision of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

It added that, “upon receipt of a report of alleged unmonitored works onsite, the Superintendence has immediately followed up with the approved archaeological monitor and will be inspecting the site.”

Photos by FAA: Second cave on site needing thorough archaeological investigation; Xaghra site pit; Pits exposed on site; and Pottery found among the construction debris – Below: Heavy machinery collapsed cave roof; collapsed cave; and bones on site

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