Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8053
Full metadata record
DC Field | Value | Language |
---|---|---|
dc.date.accessioned | 2016-02-09T10:28:43Z | - |
dc.date.available | 2016-02-09T10:28:43Z | - |
dc.date.issued | 1991 | - |
dc.identifier.citation | Proceedings of the 1st International Colloquium on Role of Chemistry in Archaeology, 15-18 November, 1991, held at The Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Hyderabad, India / edited by M.C. Ganorbar and N. Rama Rao. India: Birla Institute of Scientific Research, 1991. p. 9-16 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.uri | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/8053 | - |
dc.description.abstract | The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a unique prehistoric underground temple, entirely hewn out of the limestone bedrock in the three successive storeys, which dates to the fourth millenium RC The preservation of this site, anti !Q.Y' particularly that of red ochre decorations which are present here, has since its discoery in 1902 been threatened by the infiltration of water from the surrounding area. This study was aimed at identifying the source(s) of wafer which causes the seepages. Twenty two sampling sites were chosen from various areas in the Hypogeum. Samples, taken over a period of 5 months, included water droplets from the ceiling and accumulated water from pools within the temple. Regular observations of the presence, or otherwise, of water were also made. The sampled water was analyzed for sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulphate, chloride and nitrate and for the presence of faecal coliforms. The same chemical analysis was also performed on solutions obtained by equilibrating limestone from the Hypogeum with demineralized water. Most of the seepage water sampled was similar to local tap water while some samples were substantially more dilute in their mineral content. This indicated that the main source of the seepage in the Hypogeum was tap water with a minor contribution from rain water. High nitrate content and the presence of faecal coliforms indicated that some of the sites were sourced, at least in part, by sewage water. In the sites where the seepage was perennial, the rate of infiltration was highest during the dry summer months. Sites of intermittent seepage were also mostly active during the summer time. As the temple is located in a heavily built-up residential area, we conclude that water seepage in the Hypogeum probably occurs in response to episodic irrigation of nearby domestic gardens using, mostly, tap water, but also reservoired rain water. The increased rate of seepage during the dry summer months is consistent with the concurrent increase in irrigation input. | en_GB |
dc.language.iso | en | en_GB |
dc.publisher | Birla Institute of Scientific Research | en_GB |
dc.rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess | en_GB |
dc.subject | Archaeological chemistry | en_GB |
dc.subject | Malta -- Antiquities | en_GB |
dc.subject | Water -- Malta | en_GB |
dc.subject | Archaeology -- Malta | en_GB |
dc.subject | Hypogeum (Paola, Malta) | en_GB |
dc.subject | Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum (Paola, Malta) | en_GB |
dc.title | Water seepage in Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Malta : tracing the source by chemical analysis | en_GB |
dc.type | conferenceObject | en_GB |
dc.rights.holder | The copyright of this work belongs to the author(s)/publisher. The rights of this work are as defined by the appropriate Copyright Legislation or as modified by any successive legislation. Users may access this work and can make use of the information contained in accordance with the Copyright Legislation provided that the author must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the prior permission of the copyright holder. | en_GB |
dc.bibliographicCitation.conferencename | International colloquium on role of chemistry in archaeology | en_GB |
dc.bibliographicCitation.conferenceplace | Hyderabad, India 15-18 / November / 1991 | en_GB |
dc.description.reviewed | N/A | en_GB |
dc.contributor.creator | Vella, Alfred J. | - |
dc.contributor.creator | Brincat, David | - |
dc.contributor.creator | Copperstone, Sandra | - |
dc.contributor.creator | Cassar, JoAnn | - |
Appears in Collections: | Melitensia Works - ERCASHArc Scholarly Works - FacSciChe |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Water seepage in Hal salflieni.pdf Restricted Access | 12.88 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
Items in OAR@UM are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.