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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Archaeological Society Malta
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20251015T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20251015T180000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20251006T081213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T072938Z
UID:5886-1760551200-1760551200@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:Shifting Sands\, Changing Narratives: Climate Change and Human Prehistory in Arabia
DESCRIPTION:Lecture by Dr Huw Groucutt \nThe Arabian Peninsula covers over three million square kilometres at the interface between Africa and Asia. Traditionally it was believed that Arabia had a sparse prehistory\, and had been an unchanging desert. Recent research\, however\, reveals a highly dynamic climate history in the region\, with alternating wet and dry periods. Likewise\, archaeological research is uncovering a rich prehistoric record. In this talk the author will outline recent and ongoing research. From exploring hyena dens full of rotting bones\, deep underground in lava tubes\, to studying the remains of ancient lakes and associated hippo fossils and stone tools\, these findings transform how we think about Arabian prehistory. The talk will also consider the parallels and differences between ‘desert archaeology’ and ‘island archaeology’\, and how different schools and approaches can benefit others. \nPhoto: The Nefud Desert\, Prof. E. Scerri \n \n 
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/shifting-sands-changing-narratives-climate-change-and-human-prehistory-in-arabia/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/desert.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20251119T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20251119T180000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20251006T174043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T092717Z
UID:5896-1763575200-1763575200@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:Conquering the Sea: A Story of Ambition\, Boulders\, and Ashlar Blocks from Amathous\, Cyprus
DESCRIPTION:Lecture by Dr Judith Gatt \nConquering the sea was not only achieved through navigation but also through the development of expertise in constructing stable\, long-lasting structures in a marine environment\, such as harbour structures. This lecture examines the monumental Hellenistic harbour structure on the southern side of the Amathous harbour basin\, now lying at a depth of -4 m below present sea level. Drawing on evidence from the 1980s excavation\, the ANDIKAT programme\, and a 2022 survey at Amathous\, this study proposes a working hypothesis for the construction technique and construction process of the monumental south composite breakwater. The hypothesis is grounded in principles of both modern and ancient harbour engineering as well as archaeological data\, an approach not yet extensively applied in harbour archaeology. This research not only deepens our understanding of ancient harbour construction techniques in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean but also contributes to the wider history of harbour engineering in antiquity. \nPhoto: Aerial view of the submerged Hellenistic harbour of Amathous\, C. Christou
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/conquering-the-sea-a-story-of-ambition-boulders-and-ashlar-blocks-from-amathous-cyprus/
LOCATION:Hotel Excelsior\, Floriana\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/amathous.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20251212T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20251212T183000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20251207T121959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251207T122044Z
UID:5933-1765564200-1765564200@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:Francesco Laparelli: Valletta's Civil Architect Unmasked
DESCRIPTION:Lecture by Dr Christian Mifsud \nThe Prof. Godfrey Wettinger Memorial Lecture: Francesco Laparelli occupies a central place in the story of Valletta’s origins\, yet his contribution has long been framed in narrow terms. Dr. Christian Mifsud re-examines Laparelli’s role beyond that of a military engineer\, highlighting the broader architectural vision he brought to the city’s earliest planning phase. For centuries\, historical narratives have emphasised Girolamo Cassar as the primary designer of Valletta’s early high-status buildings. This lecture re-opens that conversation\, inviting a reassessment of authorship\, collaboration\, and the shaping of Malta’s early modern urban landscape. \n 
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/francesco-laparelli-vallettas-civil-architect-unmasked/
LOCATION:Inquisitor’s Palace\, Inquisitor's Palace\, Birgu\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pwml.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260121T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260121T180000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20260107T092225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T092712Z
UID:5969-1769018400-1769018400@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:What’s up at the Domvs Romana? – An update of the 2025 MCRP excavation season
DESCRIPTION:This event is being presented in collaboration with Heritage Malta. \nLecture by Dr David Cardona\nPresenting on behalf of collaborators: Prof. Davide Tanasi\, Dr Benedict Lowe\, Andrew Wilkinson\, Robert Brown. \nThe 2025 season of the Melite Civitas Romana Project\, though limited in duration\, yielded discoveries that challenge established narratives and open new avenues for research. This lecture will synthesize the season’s most significant findings across all excavation zones\, with particular attention to contexts that produced exceptional material evidence. These results not only refine our understanding of Melite’s urban fabric during the Roman period but also illuminate its diachronic transformations. Crucially\, we will interrogate whether current work represents a mere re-examination of earlier excavations or whether it signals a paradigm shift—one that leverages overlooked datasets and emerging methodologies to reconstruct a more nuanced picture of Roman and post-Roman Malta. By situating these findings within broader debates on urbanism and cultural continuity\, this presentation aims to demonstrate the project’s potential to redefine regional archaeological frameworks. \n 
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/whats-up-at-the-domvs-romana-an-update-of-the-2025-mcrp-excavation-season/
LOCATION:Hotel Excelsior\, Floriana\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/whats-up-domus-romana.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260218T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260218T180000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20260128T182241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T182241Z
UID:5987-1771437600-1771437600@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:Hard Hats to High-Tech: Mapping over 60 Years of Work on the Xlendi Tower Wrecks
DESCRIPTION:Lecture by Prof Timmy Gambin \nThe Tower Wrecks\, located off the coast of Xlendi\, Gozo\, serve as unique chronological markers for the evolution of underwater archaeology. Situated at a depth of 110 meters\, the deep site remained largely inaccessible during its initial discovery in the late 1950s\, when exploration was limited by the rudimentary diving technology. \nThis presentation traces a trajectory of over 60 years of research\, documenting the transition from early object recoveries to systematic\, high-tech scientific inquiries. We examine the integration of modern technical diving as well as robotics such as the deployment of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The combination of these assets together with other technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of this multi-period archaeological deposit. \nBy comparing early manual survey methods with contemporary 3D photogrammetry and remote sensing\, we highlight how these technological advancements allowed for the creation of the world’s first deep-water archaeological park. The lecture concludes by reflecting on how sixty years of methodical progress transformed a dispersed scatter of amphorae into a protected heritage site of global importance\, setting a new standard for the management of deep-sea underwater cultural heritage. \n 
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/hard-hats-to-high-tech-mapping-over-60-years-of-work-on-the-xlendi-tower-wrecks/
LOCATION:Hotel Excelsior\, Floriana\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20260218-deep-sea.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260318T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260318T180000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20260213T152915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T080933Z
UID:6008-1773856800-1773856800@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:Blick Mead: Exploring the first place in the Stonehenge Project
DESCRIPTION:Lecture by David Jacques \nThe Stonehenge landscape is one of the most famous prehistoric places in the world\, but much about its origins remains a mystery and little attention has been paid to what preceded\, and may have influenced\, its later ritual character. The discovery of a uniquely long-lived Mesolithic site at Blick Mead\, c. 2.5km from Stonehenge\, is set to transform the situation. Blick Mead\, the oldest occupation site in the Stonehenge area\, was the likely place where the communities who built the first monuments at Stonehenge lived. The discoveries made there in recent years have contributed significantly to a new understanding of the initial settlement patterns and practices in the Stonehenge landscape. This talk will chart the story of the excavations and their significance. \n \n 
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/blick-mead-exploring-the-first-place-in-the-stonehenge-project/
LOCATION:Hotel Excelsior\, Floriana\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/blick-mead-and-a303.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260422T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260422T180000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20260411T021012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T153107Z
UID:6039-1776880800-1776880800@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:Clay kiln firing at Borġ in-Nadur:  Experimental Archaeology Project Phase 1
DESCRIPTION:Lecture by Dr John C. Betts & Ms Katya Stroud \nIn the absence of direct archaeological evidence for kilns in prehistoric Malta\, an experimental approach provides the opportunity for the replication of prehistoric firing techniques and the comparative analysis of locally recovered ceramics with known kiln structures from the corresponding chronological period. \nThis project\, a collaboration between the Department of Classics and Archaeology of the University of Malta\, and the Prehistoric Sites (South) Department within Heritage Malta as well as the additional experience and knowledge of freelance archaeologists and colleagues at Savio College\, employed experimental archaeology to deepen our understanding of Maltese prehistoric pottery production. This was carried out through the systematic reconstruction of a prehistoric kiln and the testing of ancient ceramic technologies through hands-on experiments. This research was undertaken with the aims of providing: A comparison between experimental replicas and original Prehistoric and Classical pottery\, an understanding of what kiln reconstructions reveal about ancient firing techniques and additional insights into how prehistoric pots were made\, decorated\, and fired. \n 
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/clay-kiln-firing-at-borg-in-nadur-experimental-archaeology-project-phase-1/
LOCATION:Hotel Excelsior\, Floriana\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/apr-kiln.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260520T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260520T183000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20260505T154631Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T154942Z
UID:6064-1779300000-1779301800@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:The Many Lives of Ancient Objects: A Biographical Approach to the Metamorphosis of Antiquities in Early Modern Malta
DESCRIPTION:Lecture by Dr Jonathon Borg \nThis lecture explores the processes by which antiquities in the Maltese Islands were transformed into historic monuments between the sixteenth and early twentieth centuries. Adopting an object biography approach\, this study traces the afterlives of typologically diverse antiquities from their discovery through successive reinterpretations. Because such changes were often gradual\, the study employs a broad temporal perspective to provide a clearer narrative of how and why certain objects were valued and monumentalized while others were overlooked. This research examines the behavioural patterns and human actions that collectively illuminate how antiquities were reimagined as historic monuments. \n 
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/the-many-lives-of-ancient-objects-a-biographical-approach-to-the-metamorphosis-of-antiquities-in-early-modern-malta/
LOCATION:Hotel Excelsior\, Floriana\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/many-lives.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260520T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Malta:20260520T190000
DTSTAMP:20260604T012903
CREATED:20260505T154743Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T155019Z
UID:6068-1779301800-1779303600@www.archsoc.org.mt
SUMMARY:Malta’s Ancient Cart Ruts: Their age\, formation\, and context
DESCRIPTION:Lecture by Mr Joel Grima \nThe origin of the Maltese cart ruts has been debated for nearly four centuries. Contemporary archaeological opinion remains divided\, broadly interpreting them as either cut to guide wheeled Punic and Roman carts\, or worn by the repeated passage of late prehistoric vehicles. This research employs scientific and statistical techniques to address their enigmatic age\, formation\, and use. In addition to the suite of radiometric dating techniques and spatial-statistical analyses\, the study is underpinned by the largest dataset of Maltese cart rut sites compiled so far. This comprises data from 222 sites\, including 145 high-resolution 3D models which enable accurate\, consistent digitisation and morphometric analysis of cart ruts across Malta and Gozo. \n 
URL:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/event/maltas-ancient-cart-ruts-their-age-formation-and-context/
LOCATION:Hotel Excelsior\, Floriana\, Malta
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.archsoc.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/cart-ruts-age-formation.webp
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