Archives and archaeological practice in Malta : the contribution of Francis S. Mallia (1921-1988)

Abstract

An interest in Malta’s archaeological sites has a history going back a number of centuries. Locals and foreigners have frequented the megalithic ruins along with other popular sites. Yet the study of Malta’s history of archaeology, focusing on the main protagonists who played a part in the development of archaeological practice is a recent phenomenon. This study aims to shed light on the period between 1950s and the 1980s, which has so far remained understudied, by focusing on the work of Francis S. Mallia between 1955, the year he first showed interest in the role of Curator of Archaeology and 1988, the year he passed away. Mallia’s own archive was studied from a biographical-historical perspective, in order to determine developments in archaeological practice over a thirty-year span. Five main themes of discussion where pursued. These were: the development of archaeological methods and techniques in Malta between the 1950s and 1980s, foreign influence on Maltese archaeology from 1958 to 1981, archaeology as a taught discipline in Malta, the development in the role of curator and director, and local politics and maltese archaeology. Two main conclusions were determined from this study: the first that the development of archaeological practice depended mostly on where the Curators of Archaeology had studied; the second that the Museums Department was very susceptible to political pressure from both local and foreign powers.