Vine trenches in the Maltese landscape : an analysis of rock-cut agricultural features in southeast Malta

Abstract

Vine trenches are a common feature in Malta and are often discovered during excavation for building development. They are a series of trenches cut into the bedrock to cultivate vines, by giving the roots a healthier environment to sustain the growing of grapes. Vine trenches are not widely studied in archaeology as there is lack of interest, and for some time, they were not considered of high archaeological value because they were often considered to be modern. However, the discovery and revelation of many of these features beneath the Żejtun Roman Villa has changed how they are viewed as they can date from any period. Therefore, the research is focused on the south-east region of Żejtun-Bulebel and examined the vine trenches of the villa and three other sites which also contained these features. The study aimed to investigate three aspects about the vine trenches of these sites. Firstly, to create a typology of trenches for each site by examining the dimensions, orientation, and shape. Secondly, to interpret a date of the vine trenches by examining any dateable cultural material associated with them. The third aim was to establish a relationship between the sites by observing the similarities by comparing the typologies, dating, orientations, and dimensions together. The research was carried out by presenting primary source documentation into catalogues, thus showing the characteristics of the vine trenches. Eight vinetrenching patterns were recognised in the data, and dating was possible for two of the four sites, which could date back to between the Punic and Roman period. On the other hand, all four sites do not have any relation that possibly connects any site with another due to the different contexts of the vine trenches.