A visual and comparative analysis of the carved stone blocks discovered at the church of St Agatha, Rabat

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to shed new light on one of the most enigmatic aspects of the Church of St Agatha in Rabat, Malta: the various carved stone blocks that were found in the 1960s during the expansion of the church. There are several scenarios that could indicate when the carved stone blocks were executed in the Late Middle Ages on this site that has ancient origins. The carved stone blocks are found on a site with ancient origins but few to none indicators were found as to exactly when they were executed. It is possible that these carved stone blocks were incorporated in the built fabric of the church which was rebuilt in 1504. These stone carvings display a typical Medieval interest with religious symbolism, routine tasks in what can be explained as genre scenes, bestiaries, geometric roundels and foliated motifs. The fact that not all of the stone blocks include religious significance is also taken into account. This dissertation is divided into three chapters. The first chapter reviews a selection of literature that relates to the history and research carried out on the crypt and cave church of St Agatha, the built Church of St Agatha and the carved stone blocks. Additionally, chapter 1 describes the methodology used for this study and the consulted the books of Professor Mario Buhagiar, Dr Charlene Vella, Mr Charles Dalli, Mr Anthony Luttrell and Fr Victor Camilleri for further information. This chapter also includes two interviews which were carried out with Fr Dominic Borg MSSP who is at the time of writing in charge of the St Agatha Historical Complex Museum and Mr Charles Dalli the medieval history lecturer at the University of Malta. The second chapter will generally contextualize the historical and geographical context during the medieval era on the Maltese islands whilst also exploring the cult linked to St. Agatha and its importance throughout the years. Chapter two will also delve into the historical background of the crypt and catacombs located in the area. The presence and possible influence of the Renaissance sculpture that is present in the Church of St Agatha is explored in an attempt to understand how vernacular art and high art might have coexisted in this church that is located in the suburb of Mdina. Other local contemporary works of art on the Maltese Islands were analysed and compared with the carved stone blocks such as the sacristy door of Mdina Cathedral by Cola Curmi, Lastly the chapter will include a discussion in regard to the published information about the carved stone blocks and their iconography. Additionally, this chapter examined how carved stone blocks were used in the Middle Ages and how the St. Agatha stone blocks were first incorporated into the 1504 church. The third chapter and the last chapter deals with the scientific methods used throughout this dissertation and why these scientific methods were used. The Ground Penetrating Radar is one of the scientific methods that was used in this dissertation. Another scientific method used was analysing the carved stone blocks normal light and UV Light for a better understanding of their state of their preservation. Line drawings for each stone block were also conducted in order to better understand the imagery as well as for a record keeping. The above mentioned drawings are then compared to drawings that were executed by students under the supervision of Professor Mario Buhagiar in the 1960s. The present author analysed the stone blocks in order to try to understand how many vernacular artists were at work on this series of blocks. This dissertation aims to provide fresh insight into one of the most interesting artefacts in the Church of St. Agatha in Rabat, Malta, the carved stone blocks.