Photos: D. Gration & J. Wood/University of Malta
On the 11 January is Heritage Treasures Day – a globally recognised day which unearths and recognises all artefacts and relics that have been discovered throughout the span of history. Newspoint asked Prof. Timmy Gambin from the Department of Classics & Archaeology at UM, to share the feats accomplished by him and his team, that ultimately led to the discovery and preservation of the Phoenician Shipwreck site, situated just a few metres off of the coast of Xlendi Bay in Gozo.
In 2007, during an offshore remote sensing survey aimed at mapping Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage, a small anomaly was noted in the sonar data.
Since then, the University of Malta, in collaboration with a number of international partners, have been studying what turned out to be one of the most intriguing recent underwater archaeological discoveries.
Situated at a depth of 110m off Xlendi Bay in Gozo, the Phoenician shipwreck consists of an intact and well-preserved mixed cargo datable to the 7th century BC. The mixed contents of stone and ceramic objects are shedding light on the economic history and trade networks of the Central Mediterranean during the Archaic period. In addition to the archaeological benefits – including the study of hitherto unknown ceramic typologies as well as a wide variety of scientific tests in the post excavation phases – this site presents other challenges and opportunities regards methodologies and access, as well as the communication of such a site.
The shipwreck consists of a very well preserved cargo made up of various objects. Indeed it is to date the only well-preserved mixed Phoenician cargo to be discovered intact.
Divers at The Phoenician Shipwreck site
Ceramics are concentrated in the middle part of the shipwreck and include amphorae from various parts of the central Mediterranean, as well as various types of urns. What is extraordinary is that to date urns have mainly been discovered in funerary contexts. At least seven types of ceramic containers have been identified including a small jug.
Both extremities of the ship are laden with saddle querns. These were used as grinding stones for the preparation of food. The fact that these stones are not worn down in any way, clearly indicates that they were brand new. Tests carried out on the volcanic rock have confirmed Pantelleria as the place of origin for these querns.
Its age and diverse nature truly make this shipwreck an unique and precious archaeological resource.
Once the age and typology of the shipwreck were identified it became clear that this unique site deserved to be explored and studied in depth.
The first question that needed to be answered is whether there was any more archaeology buried in the sediments located under the visible layer. To this end a Sub Bottom Profiler was deployed over the site to read into the layers of sand and silt. Results were encouraging as well as astonishing – close to two meters of archaeology remains buried in the seabed. It was evident that this site deserved further in-depth studies.
Divers at The Phoenician Shipwreck site
The objectives included exposing and recording the ship’s ballast in situ, as well as possible timber hull remains. Following the successful use of the technique during the 2018-2020 excavations, the excavation team used a hydraulic-powered submersible pump with a hydraulic machine housed on the bow deck of the boat. Any archaeological material was placed in mesh bags which were individual to each diver and the areas being worked in.
The 3D photogrammetric recording of the site continued on a daily basis, creating an accurate record of the ongoing excavation. A rare and exciting discovery was that of a human tooth – the first human remains to be discovered on the site. This lower, right, first molar will be sent for further tests, including carbon dating and DNA analysis. The discovery of a mortis and tenon joint in the 2020 season provided the potential for further timber remains. This was confirmed in 2021 when the excavation exposed parts of six timber planks in situ, providing important information on hull construction and shipbuilding techniques in an archaic Mediterranean context.
The 2021 season marked the end of four years of excavation, the first ever conducted by divers at a depth beyond 100m, and the techniques used and methodologies developed will have a long-lasting impact on the discipline of deep-water archaeology. The finds recovered in the context of this project are making important insights into the trade networks of the archaic central Mediterranean, with hitherto unknown and rare ceramic types providing new information on Malta’s archaeological record.
At the end of the 2021 season, the shipwreck site was covered with several layers of geotextile, sandbags and spoil material – ensuring that the timber remains are protected. The aim now is to continue the analysis of recovered material, bringing together an interdisciplinary team, for the eventual publication of the final reports. The site will be checked periodically by University of Malta and Heritage Malta divers, ensuring that the protective coverings are still in place and the site remains undisturbed for future generations.
You can visit the Shipwreck virtually online.
Post excavation works on the Phoenician Shipwreck material is supported and financed by the Ministry for Gozo.
