Finds from Zabbar Punic Tomb

18 th -20 th June 2021

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European Archaeology Days
‘Finds from Zabbar Punic Tomb’
VBT2021

Left: The chamber after the removal of the sealing slab
Right: Group of finds part of the first funerary phase
Next Page: Human remains found around the inner edge of the
chamber, part of the earliest phase

In May 2021 trenching works for the installation of
new drainage systems were being carried out in the
outskirts of the village of Żabbar in the south-east of
Malta. An archaeologist directed by the Superintendence
of Cultural Heritage was monitoring the works in order
to safeguard any potential archaeological remains being
unearthed, because even though this is not an area known
for ancient tombs, other archaeological remains have been
recorded. During the survellance works, a series of small
rectangular cuts in the rock, which are typical agricultural
trenches used since ancient times for cultivating crops
were identified. The Superintendence required a more
detailed investigation of these trenches and during this
process one trench resulted to be the shaft of a Punic tomb.
Following this discovery, the Superintendence
archaeological field team investigated the site, together
with the archaeologist monitoring the work. In the course
of the investigation the shaft revealed one side chamber
hewn out of the rock. The sealing slab which closed off the
entrance from the side of the shaft to this chamber was
found still in situ. After the archaeologists completed the
necessary documentation, the slab was carefully removed.
Within the shaft an obelisk shaped worked stone, some
1.2 meters in length was also discovered which could
very well be a grave marker. This stone most likely stood
above the tomb to the end of the shaft, and over time
when the tomb was no longer in use, it was removed
from its standing position and thrown into the shaft,
ultimately being covered by the soil filling the shaft.
Upon removing the sealing slab, it was visible that
chamber was filled with soil, with parts of a complete
amphora protruding from the soil. The archaeologists
continued excavating stratigraphically within the
chamber and identified two urns in the first funerary
phase grouped with other vessels including a small
spouted flask (guttus), various pottery vessels, and a glass
vessel. This cluster of objects accompanied the amphora
mentioned earlier, a broken pot and plate. The broken
pot is being interpreted here as possible evidence of an
earlier burial of an urn disturbed with the latest funerary
ritual. The deposits around and under this later phase
of burial in fact included scattered cremated bones.
Below the urns and soil deposit, a different type of
burial was found which included intact human skeletal
remains showing an earlier burial practice not involving
cremation. Evidence of one articulated skeleton of
a young child was found laid on its back, together
with a cluster of bones to the side of the chamber,
clearly moved from their original articulated position.
The urns and vessels identified in this chamber stylistically
belong to known forms of the Maltese pottery repertoire
dating from the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD.
This shows the extensive use of the tomb confirming
that several phases of burial were being carried out over
time within the same chamber. Most probably older
objects were reutilized in the later burial phase as part
of a ritual practice that existed during this time period.
Further scientific analysis will be crucial to determine the
dating of the burials with more accuracy. In this regard,
the Superintendence is sourcing funds to carry out Radio
Carbon testing on samples of the human skeletal material
to ascertain the date range of the burials and continue to
build on the theory of re-usage of vessels through time.

Plan of Tomb

European Archaeology Days
Amphora with red bands
550mm

European Archaeology Days
Urn for cremation
230mm

European Archaeology Days
Urn for cremation
250mm

European Archaeology Days
Jug painted with red to purple bands
262mm

European Archaeology Days
Guttus – Spouted Flask
111mm

European Archaeology Days
Glass unguentarium and beaker
115mm
80mm

European Archaeology Days
Trefoil Jug with grooved handle
174mm

European Archaeology Days
Lagynos: Flask
143mm

European Archaeology Days
Oil Lamp placed on shelf
100mm

European Archaeology Days
Small Trefoil Jug
135mm

European Archaeology Days
Plate
176mm

European Archaeology Days
Plate
164mm

European Archaeology Days
Oil Lamp
103mm

European Archaeology Days
Small Oil Lamp
85mm

European Archaeology Days
Trefoil Jug
220mm

European Archaeology Days
Unguentaria: ointment bottles
84mm
89mm

European Archaeology Days
Small juglet with net decoration
59mm

European Archaeology Days
Lid
89mm

European Archaeology Days
Bronze needle
79mm

European Archaeology Days
Part of a mandible and maxilla of an adult individual

European Archaeology Days
Mandible of a 7-8 year old child; frontal view. Note erupting teeth.

European Archaeology Days
Cranium of an adult individual, probable male; lateral view.

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“to fulfil the duties of the State in ensuring the protection and accessibility of
Malta’s cultural heritage”

IEM EWROPE
TAL-
ARKEOLOg IA