Wed 20 January

Recent Scheduling of items of the Antiquities List

Presentation by two MEPA officials
Mr Joseph Magro Conti and Mr Kevin Borda

Mr Magro Conti will speak about the Antiquities List and Scheduling process and Mr Borda will give us some details about 20 recently scheduled archaeological sites on the Antiquities List.

Sat 30 January

Site visit to the area of Qallilija, limits of Rabat

Site visit led by Dr Anton Bugeja to this large site rich in Punic tombs. Meeting, rain or shine, by the Roman Domus at 2pm. Mobile 9984 8764

Wed 17 February

Paolo Francesco Bellanti (1852-1927)
the archaeologist, the man

Lecture by Ms Patricia Camilleri.

Sat 27 February

Site visit in the Zurrieq area

Site visit led by Dr Anton Bugeja, Ms Patricia Camilleri, and Ms Ann Gingell Littlejohn to sites in the Zurrieq area: the Punic building in the garden of the parish priest's house, the Xarolla funerary triclinium catacomb, and the ruins at Tal-Bakkari and Ta' Gawhar. Meeting at 10:30am in front of the Zurrieq Parish Church. To be confirmed.

Sat 13 March

Site visit to Corradino Military Prisons

Site visit, led by Dr Malcolm Borg, to the Corradino Military Prisons (British period). Dr Borg will be describing the historical aspects, as well as the restoration that has taken place. There will be two meeting times, at 12:30 and at 2, both in the car park of the Capuchin Church on the other side of the road from the Mosque.

For those wishing to have a light meal in the former Sergeants' Mess of the prisons, meeting will be at 12:30. There will be three types of pasta, plus a glass of wine at €5 per person. This will only be provided for a minimum of 15 persons. Please confirm by email to Ann Gingell Littlejohn or by texting me on 9984 8764, by Wednesday 10 March.

For those not wishing to have a meal, meeting will be at 2pm.

Wed 17 March

Early Metallurgy in the Maltese Islands

Lecture by Ms Rebecca Farrugia.

Ms Farrugia has kindly agreed to repeat the lecture she gave in May 2009 when there seemed to have been a clash with a number of activities elsewhere which led to a number of members missing the lecture.

Sat 20 March

Site visit to be announced

Tue 13 April

Goddesses, Whores, Vampyres and Gladiators: Excavating Ancient Mytilene.

Lecture by Professor Hector Williams, Director, University of British Columbia Excavation Projects at Mytilene and Stymphalos. The talk will present the results of 25 years of archaeological investigations of ancient Mytilene, principal city of Aeolic Greece. It will present a new sanctuary of Demeter and Kore, a Roman tavern/brothel, an Ottoman cemetery with a vampyre burial, and evidence for extensive gladiatorial activity in the town (e.g. conversion of Greek theatre to Roman arena). The lecture will be followed by a meal with Professor Williams at D'Agostino Restaurant, up the road in Republic Street. The price is Eur20 per head. If you intend joining us for the meal please inform Tricia on 9945 2980 or Ann on 9984 8764 by noon on Monday 12 April.

Wed 21 April

The double life of pots: pottery in Late Punic and Roman Malta

Lecture by Ms Maxine Anastasi.

Sat 24 April

Site visit in the Bingemma area

Site visit, led by Professor Anthony Bonanno, to the rock-cut features, recognised as wine presses, in the Bingemma area. Meeting at 2pm in front of Mgarr parish church.

Wed 19 May

Museums and Community Engagement in Valletta's Revival

Lecture by Ms Marcia Grima.

Sat 22 May

Annual General Meeting, followed by site visit

AGM at 11am in the Archaeology Farmhouse, University of Malta. Ample parking in the University grounds. This will be followed by a snack, location to be announced, and a site visit at 2:30pm, led by Dr Stephen Spiteri, to one of the forts of the British period.

Wed 7 July

Open day at Ghar ix-Xih (Gozo) 9-11:30 and 16:15-18:45

Members are invited to two open days in Gozo where excavations are taking place. Guests are welcome only if accompanying a member.
For further information about the site please consult these websites:

http://www.um.edu.mt/arts/classics-archaeo/projects/gharixxih
http://www.xewkija.gov.mt/skav-2009/index.shtml

Wed 4 August

Open day at Tal-Logga (Gozo) 9-11:30 and 16:15-18:45

Members are invited to two open days in Gozo where excavations are taking place. Guests are welcome only if accompanying a member.
To get to Tal-Logga, take the road to Mgarr ix-Xini beach, drive about half way down and stop by the footpath on your left where you see a number of parked cars. A short walk down the footpath will take you to the site. The Tal-Logga site is in the vicinity of a rock-cut feature understood to be a wine press. For further information about the site please consult these websites:

http://www.um.edu.mt/arts/classics-archaeo/projects/gharixxih
http://www.xewkija.gov.mt/skav-2009/index.shtml