An orante that praises no more : a case for endangered archaeological sites

Abstract

For more than twelve centuries a group of catacombs at Zabbar remained virtually unknown. It was only in the early eighties that they were rediscovered and documented for the first time. Only one of the tombs was investigated, revealing an interesting graffito of a stylised human figure which was interpreted as a representation of an orante. As the other four tombs in the area were 'full of stones', further examination could not be undertaken. The nearby housing estate, already present at the time of discovery, continued to expand in the ensuing years, covering the area containing the hypogea. No action was taken to preserve the sites and it is likely that during the construction work a number of tombs were destroyed. Today, just twenty years after their discovery, there is no trace of the Xaghra ta' Santa Duminka Hypogea.