THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 60

THE ŻEJTUN VILLA AND ITS 5 ANCIENT LANDSCAPE € THREE NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES

Anthony Pace1), Nathaniel Cutajar2), Bernardette Mercieca Spiteri3), Christian Mifsud4) and Mevrick Spiteri5) 1) Anthony Pace, Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, , [email protected] 2) Nathaniel Cutajar, Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Malta, [email protected] 3) Bernardette Mercieca Spiteri, Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Malta, [email protected] 4) Christian Mifsud, Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Malta, [email protected] 5) Mevrick Spiteri, Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, Malta, [email protected]

ABSTRACT In recent years, surveillance policies and fieldwork by the former Museums Department and now by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, have provided significant new insights on the landscape archaeology of the Żejtun villa and its broader environs. The landscape around what are now the modern towns and villages of Żejtun, , , Birżebbuġa, Ħal Għaxaq, and , has evolved over a number of millennia into its present configuration. In ancient times, this complex landscape was an agro-industrial setting of road networks, extensive agricultural terraces, burial grounds, prominent buildings and settlements, as well as sea ports. Valleys, hills, harbours and other land formations contributed to the use of large tracts of land to support the small communities that inhabited the area during antiquity. Boundaries, if these existed at the time, were different from our modern municipal jurisdictions, as defined by the 1993 Local Council legislation. These ancient boundaries – political, economic and social in dimension – were physical and social, both dimensions now difficult to establish with absolute certainty, though perhaps easier to understand in general terms with the help of specific types of monuments and land formations. Here, we provide a brief overview of a series of archaeological discoveries which throw new light on the ancient landscape of the Żejtun area. These discoveries were made in recent decades. They include: the Late Roman and Byzantine Catacomb at Tal-Barrani, the Roman tomb cluster and field systems at Tal-Ħotba and the Roman tomb-cluster and quarries at Bulebel. The significance of each site will be briefly described, together with the current state of study, as well as an outline of the measures that have been taken for their physical conservation.

INTRODUCTION economic, ritual and transportation infrastructure. !ese elements have been Maltese landscape archaeology is still in created and reworked through several its infancy. !e area comprising Żejtun generations, a factor which colours our and its environs provides a good case precise understanding of continuity and study for understanding the various ways change. Indeed given the limited territory in which ancient communities used and of the archipelago and the long history of transformed their natural environment. intense land use for subsistence purposes, !e geo-cultural morphology of this there is today hardly a tract of land on particular landscape is a complex Malta, and the smaller islands that combination of natural formations and has not been extensively modi"ed by their transformation by natural causes, human beings. Critical in this respect, and the steady millennial construction is the gradual but steady demise of of an extensive network of human antiquity, the transmission of some of settlement together with all the associated its elements into the Middle Ages, and THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 61 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

"nally the transformation of the Medieval the intensity with which the area around and Baroque settlements into the urban Żejtun was used (Wettinger 2000). !e centres of Modern Malta. We list here large number of place names attests to salient aspects of this long period of the extensive accessibility of the land, change. and therefore of its use. !ese lands were intensely used since antiquity, with the !e historic core of Żejtun is located on Arabs then using the established agro- an elevated promontory of globigerina industrial infrastructure as the basis for limestone, at an altitude of 60m above their presence in Malta and Gozo. For sea level. !e promontory is de"ned more recent times, the importance of to the north by Wied iz-Ziju1 which the Żejtun landscape as a critical land- distinguishes Żejtun from Tarxien and based subsistence source is highlighted by other outlying high ground. !is valley various historical sources which document is now partly obscured by the Bulebel various agricultural estates essential for industrial zone and the old road that the economy of early modern times. links Tarxien and Żejtun, as well as by Examples of such agricultural estates are the widened road of Tal-Barrani. !e those of Bulebel iż-Żgħir, Bulebel il-Kbir valley meanders gently until it reaches and Barrani as documented in a 1654 the harbour of Marsaskala. To the south, property book of the Order of St. John the Żejtun promontory is marked by a (Cabreo Magisteriale). drop in the landscape which then forms the greater port area of Marsaxlokk. !e An aspect of change which requires higher ridge of Żejtun is marked by the research is the Early Modern growth Late Medieval chapel of San Girgor, and of Żejtun and its con"guration into a the important cross-junction of Bir id- major town. As happened at various Deheb. other localities, Żejtun grew considerably in the years following the li*ing of the Żejtun is strategically located between Great Siege of 1565. Today post-Medieval three important ancient harbours, that Żejtun can be appreciated in the historic of Marsa to the north, and those of centre of the town and in outlying Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala to the south. hamlets. !e expansion of Żejtun would !e area which the Arabs named Żejtun have +uctuated according to demographic was occupied since prehistoric antiquity. and economic patterns of growth, with !e megaliths of Ħal Ġinwi and the the major period of growth occurring megalithic remains at tas-Silġ date back during the nineteenth and early twentieth to the Late Neolithic, though the sites centuries. Much of this growth occured in remained in use during the Bronze Age centres that had already been established. and during later historical periods. !e During the early twentieth century, the Żejtun villa was an active settlement since built up part of Żejtun extended as far the Bronze Age, although the currently south as the areas of Bir id-Deheb and visible remains can be mainly dated to the San Girgor Chapel, and northwards up to Punic period right up to Late Antiquity. the area known as Il-Minzel (Ordnance More evidence of ancient habitation Survey Sheets 1912/14). comes from burial grounds, such as those known from San Girgor, Tal-Barrani, Tal- !is urban expansion had a negative Ħotba and Bulebel. impact on the preservation of the ancient remains within this locality. Indeed, the Various Late Medieval toponyms, such intense modern urbanisation of Żejtun as Bir id-Deheb, Tal Barrani, Tal Ħotba led to a profound change of the area. As and Bulebel il Chbir serve to highlight a result, no evident picture of the ancient THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 62 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

Figure 1. General site plan of the Żejtun Local Council indicating the location of known Punic and Roman archaeological sites

use of the Żejtun area was known until case policy decisions aimed at protecting recently. Much of what has been written the archaeological heritage. Among the about the town is based on the scarce Late adopted measures were a number of Medieval sources, namely toponyms that excavations carried out at archaeological were hardly geo-referenced in a secure sites threatened by modern construction manner, and on archival material of the and land development. Among these Early Modern and Modern periods, excavations one "nds the Late Roman and which still require much research. Byzantine Catacomb at Tal-Barrani, the ancient tomb cluster and "eld systems at Here we contribute an altogether Tal-Ħotba and the Roman tomb cluster di7erent source of information about and quarries at Bulebel.2 Żejtun. As a result of post-World War II development in the previously un- built areas, numerous archaeological TRACES OF ANCIENT remains have been unearthed. From these LAND USE: TOMBS, discoveries we are now able to present a BUILDINGS AND OTHER tentative picture of ancient land use of an ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS area that is o*en di8cult to understand for lack of information, research and the Figure 1 shows the types of sites known sheer impact of modern development. at Żejtun. During the twentieth century, !e Museums Department and the a total of seventeen rock-cut tombs and a Superintendence of Cultural Heritage catacomb were unearthed across the Żejtun have implemented a number of case-by- area (MAR 1910/11, 1911/12, 1912/13, THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 63 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

1963, 1965, 1966; Zammit, 1909-12, 1912- typology as the other tombs. Some of the 17). At least, a total of another eighteen rock-cut tombs also contained cremation tombs were discovered in the early twenty- urns apart from inhumation burials. "rst century. !e tombs are of a Punic and Roman typology, consisting of rectangular In the grounds of the Jesus of Nazareth or in some cases cylindrical sha*s from Institute, located in this same area, a bell- which a subterranean burial chamber of a shaped silo was found sealed by two stone rectangular or oval shape is reached. blocks (Fig. 1: 19) (Museums Department File 1938-39). !e remains of animal A Christian catacomb and four rock-cut bone, including horse, dog, pig, ox, sheep tombs, discovered in 1915, 1963 and 1993, and goat together with cooking pots, were found underneath the present road amphorae and other forms of a Punic footprint of Tal-Barrani (Fig. 1: 1-3). At date were found within the silo. !is type least, seventeen other tombs unearthed of archaeological evidence indicates that in 1965, 1966 and 2008 were found in a settlement must have existed at this "elds in an area known as Tal-Ħotba location in antiquity. close to Tal-Barrani road (Fig. 1: 4-6). !e 1960s discoveries at Tal-Ħotba consisted Settlement sites are also known. !is is of three tombs within the footprint, now suggested by the Żejtun Villa site itself demolished, of an old Milk Collection and by the remains of another structure Centre. !e discoveries of Tal-Barrani reported in 1964 in the grounds of the (1993) and Tal-Ħotba (2008) will be Żejtun Primary School (Fig. 1: 17, 18) described in greater detail further on in (MAR 1961, 1964). At the Secondary this paper. School, the remains of a rustic villa including traces of a residential building To the NE of Żejtun, today the industrial and a complex for the production of area of Bulebel, "ve other tombs were olive oil, were uncovered in 1961. !e discovered (Fig. 1: 7, 8). !e "rst discovery excavation of this site has also revealed reported by Temi Zammit in 1911, was traces of earlier Bronze Age settlement, that of a ‘well-tomb’ found in the "elds as well as of Late Antique occupation. of Bulebel il-Kbir. !e tomb was found !e site uncovered at the Primary School mostly disturbed, but still containing featured Punic and Roman structures human remains and some Punic pottery. including the remains of a large cistern, !e other four rock-cut tombs discovered stone water channels, the foundation of a in 2012 are found in the same area of wall and a stone-paved area were covered Bulebel il-Kbir at a short distance from the by a thin layer of agricultural soil. 1911 tomb. !ese latter four tombs will be tackled in much more detail further on in Other important archaeological indicators this paper. of ancient land use consist of intricate "eld systems of rock-cut trenches associated In the NE of the Żejtun village core, two with ancient agricultural activities and other tombs were discovered in 1912, from quarries. In recent years, such features which pottery fragments were associated have been recorded in various parts of with Punic shapes (Fig. 1: 9, 10). the Maltese Islands. In the Żejtun area, remains of rock-cut trenches and quarries Further to the south of Żejtun, a cluster were uncovered at Tal-Ħotba in 2008 of seven tombs are known to have been and 2011 and Bulebel in 2012 (Fig. 1: 6, found in the immediate vicinity of the 8). !e study of these remains provides Żejtun Roman Villa (Fig. 1: 11-16). !ese a more coherent picture of the economic tombs are of a typical Punic or Roman landscapes of antiquity. THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 64 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

LATE ROMAN AND the burial tombs and catacomb along a BYZANTINE CATACOMB main road is in fact not uncommon in AT TALBARRANI the Maltese islands as recent "eld work has shown. !e road was widened and In May 1993 an important Late Roman in places realigned, in modern times. As to Byzantine burial site was discovered a result, some of the tombs of tal-Barrani during trenching works along tal- were discovered (Fig. 1: 1, 3) while others Barrani road, on the approach to the remained concealed underneath the high ground just before 25 November old road surface. !is accounts for the Avenue leading to Żejtun (Fig. 1: 2). !e preservation of the catacomb. trenching works were part of a more extensive power cable project linking !e rock-cut chamber tomb, located the Delimara and Marsa electrical down hill to the NW of the catacomb, power stations. Two subterranean was cut into a natural terrace which monuments were discovered at a was later concealed by a number of distance of about 10m from each other: road-surfaces making up the present a multi-chambered burial catacomb tal-Barrani road. Part of the sha* and a Late Roman rock-cut chamber was concealed by the rubble wall of tomb (Fig. 2). !e catacomb was located the old tal-Barrani road, which is on the Żejtun side at a slightly higher still preserved in situ underneath the point to the chamber tomb, located present ‘central strip’. !e sha* is in a towards Tarxien. !e importance of good state of preservation. At the time the discovery lies mainly in the intact of the discovery, the sealing slab was burial strata which survived and were still lodged securely in the access of the sealed within the catacomb. In addition tomb. !e structure of the tomb was the catacomb of tal-Barrani was the "rst largely intact, except for a section at to be scienti"cally examined following the back which was cut through during centuries of unrecorded clearing the modern trenching works. Apart and pilfering of almost every known from the trenching debris, the tomb catacomb in the Maltese islands. !e chamber and its contents were intact presence of a Christian catacomb near and undisturbed. a rock-cut chamber tomb is a rare occurrence, normally encountered in !e tomb’s burial chamber contained the Rabat area. Tal-Barrani provided two main areas: a rectangular burial evidence of continuity in the use of a area with a water trench cutting through much larger common cemetery which the middle, and an arcosolium at the originally comprised chamber tombs back (Fig. 2: Feature 1). !e front area and certainly a multi-chambered measured about 2.50m in length, making catacomb. Short notes in Temi Zammit’s it slightly longer than the arcosolium notebook (Zammit 1912-1917) and in which measured 2.10m. !e water trench the Museum Annual Report of 1963 in the front area provided standing room outline a number of discoveries in the and height, and it separated the two same location. !is is an indication that burial platforms of the area. !e water the burial ground was extensive and trench was reached by three steps leading that it contained a mixture of tombs and down from the entrance. !e arcosolium other burial facilities. (Fig. 2) provided a focus point and an unusual tomb design, suggesting a Late Roman !e road of tal-Barrani very likely formed date for the burials. !e burial platform part of old road networks, some of which of the arcosolium comprised two carved date back to antiquity. !e position of head-rests. THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 65 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

Figure 2. Plan of the Tal-Barrani catacomb and rock-cut chamber tomb (1993 investigation)

!e tomb contained the remains of six in chamber D, it was noted that the adult individuals, all articulated. Pottery central area was still full of soil deposit discovered in the tomb has been dated to and that the disturbed sealing slabs of the Late Roman period. chambers lay on top of the soil surface. A large ‘cone-like’ deposit of very "ne water- !e Christian catacomb is larger than borne dark brown soil was resting on top the chamber tomb and contained more of the disturbed sealing slab of chamber features (Fig. 2: Feature 2). Its general B, and the soil deposit "ll of the central dimensions are however signi"cantly area, A. !e sealing stones of the entrance smaller than, for instance, the more to the catacomb were still in place. It was extensive Rabat catacombs. !e catacomb clear however that the chambers around is accessed through a +ight of steps and the central area A had been opened and a full-height door, giving the structure disturbed, and that the waterborne soil a NE-SW axis. !e interior consists of a mound which had percolated into the central area, A, containing a small rock- catacomb from the entrance door, was cut agape table which extends into a still sealing important undisturbed levels. platform, a column of un-hewn rock and !ese levels were stratigraphically sealed an L-shaped +oor area which provides by the chamber capstones which rested comfortable standing room in the on top, and out of their original place. All catacomb (Fig. 3). !e catacomb contains evidence showed that at some unknown four burial chambers: one at the bottom point in the past, the catacomb had been of the access sha* (chamber E), and three sealed a*er the window graves had been (chambers B, C and D) set around the disturbed. interior central area. On "rst entering the catacomb through the damaged opening On removing the percolated soil mound, THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 66 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

an undisturbed burial context comprising Designs for such an entrance were made the remains of three individuals was in 1993, but never implemented. At the encountered in the upper soil layers in area time of writing, the archaeological data A. !ese human remains raise a number from tal-Barrani are being processed for of interesting interpretations. It was noted the preparation of the report of "ndings. that by their stratigraphic position, these human skeletal remains had not only been undisturbed by the later events that had THE ANCIENT TOMB led to the pilfering of the chamber tombs, CLUSTER AND FIELD but had also sealed deeper untouched SYSTEMS AT TALĦOTBA deposits. In all likelihood, the human remains encountered in the central area !e "rst archaeological reports from the A were those of individuals buried in area of Tal-Ħotba date back to 1965 and Late Antiquity or the Byzantine period. 1966 (Fig. 1: 4, 5). In those years three !is was con"rmed by the underlying ancient rock-cut tombs were uncovered deposit which yielded a range of ceramics and investigated by the Museums – lamps, plates, jugs and small amphorae - Department (MAR 1965, 1966). dating to between the fourth century AD !ese discoveries were made during and later Byzantine periods. the construction of a Milk Collection Centre within what was till then an !ough simple and small, the catacomb undeveloped agricultural area. In 2008 was also embellished with relief a development permit was issued for decorations. !e entrances to chambers the demolition of the 1960s industrial B and C were decorated with carved building, and its replacement by a new columns. Chamber C originally had a private hospital. Construction works small removable stone shelf which may started later that same year under the have accommodated o7erings or used surveillance of an archaeological monitor. sacred rituals. By October 2008 "rst rock-cut tombs were reported. Following this discovery, !e tal-Barrani chamber tomb and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage catacomb are today preserved underneath started an extensive investigation of the the modern road surface. Access to the area covered by the development permit site is however impossible unless suitable (area marked as Zone A on Fig. 4). By entrance arrangements are provided. early 2009, fourteen rock-cut tombs had been identi"ed and partially investigated. Given the importance of this discovery, the Superintendence together with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority took measures to protect these remains and started procedures for their scheduling. !e developer then proposed to redesign the development in order to guarantee the physical conservation of this important cluster of ancient tombs. !e redesign involved the relocation of the new hospital building to a new site within the same property. !is new location was archaeologically investigated by the Superintendence in 2011 (area marked as Figure 3. Inside view of the Tal-Barrani catacomb Zone B on Fig. 4). At the time of writing, THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 67 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries the planning process for the redesign of perhaps to distinguish this place from the the hospital development has not yet been higher landform. completed. Similarly the archaeological investigation in both Zones A and B has In total, fourteen rock-cut tombs not been completed. !e information were found grouped into two distinct, and the conclusions presented below overlapping alignments (Fig. 4). All the are therefore preliminary, and may be evidence collected so far indicate that reviewed following the collection and these tombs were used during the Roman analysis of additional data from this site. period. Future investigations at this site will help con"rm or otherwise earlier Ancient tomb cluster phases of some tombs. !e Tal-Ħotba site is located within the "elds found between Triq San Anard Only nine out of the discovered fourteen and Triq tal-Barrani on the edge of the tombs were investigated during 2008 modern boundaries of Żejtun close to and 2009. Tombs 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 Tarxien (Fig. 1: 6). !e tombs were cut on were completely excavated whilst Tomb a relatively elevated terrain of globigerina 7 and Tomb 14 were never completed. limestone. !e terrain’s elevated form very !e remaining "ve tombs were recorded likely inspired the toponynm ‘Tal Hotba’. (Tombs 5, 6, 11, 12, 13) but are still Nearby, the toponym il hofra il hamra unexcavated. !e "rst group (Tombs 4, 5, refers to the lower levels of the landscape, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13) was dug in a NE to

Figure 4. Plan of the Tal-Ħotba site indicating the location of the tombs and of the agricultural features THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 68 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

SW axis, while the second group (Tombs In plan, four of the chambers (Tombs 1, 2, 9, 10, 14 and perhaps even Tomb 3) 2, 3, 9, 10) were roughly oval in shape, is oriented on a NW to SE axis. It is very while three others (Tombs 1, 4, 8) had likely that Tomb 2 corresponds with one rectangular chambers. Typically, the of the two tombs reported in 1965. chambers measured 1.7m by 2.10m, and 1m in height. !e tombs were sealed In general, the tombs at tal-Ħotba have in two ways. !e "rst type of sealing a common typology, but di7er in minor consisted of a rectangular stone, as in details of internal rock-features. !e tomb Tombs 7 and 9. Tomb 8 did not have a structures consist of a sha* from which a sealing slab, and its chamber entrance subterranean burial chamber is reached seems to have been blocked by a rubble (Fig. 5). Most of the sha*s (Tombs 1, 3, 4, construction. In Tombs 1 and 3, access to 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are rectangular the burial chamber was through a small in shape measuring 2.30m by 1.10m, and rectangular entrance, while in Tombs 8 their depths range from 1m down to 3m. and 9 the access was through an irregular !e sha* of Tomb 2 has an irregular shape. cutting. !e average space of the tomb Recent rock cutting may have reduced the entrances measured 1m by 0.60m. original upper level of some of the sha*s. Only three tomb sha*s had features. Two On the inside of some chambers, typical of these (Tombs 7 and 8) had footholds, funerary architectural elements were and Tomb 1 had steps cut into the rock. found; these included the water trench, niche and the rock platform. !e water trench was found in four of the studied tombs (Tombs 1, 2, 4, 8). Tombs 3, 9, 10 did not have water trenches. !ese water trenches are thought to have been drains for water entering the chamber. Tombs 1, 4, 8, 13 had a niche in their burial chambers. Of particular interest is Tomb 8 which had two oil lamps still in situ inside the niche. Tombs 2, 3, 9, 10 did not have any niches. Only two tombs (Tomb 1 and 4) had an elevated rock platform in their chambers which was possibly used for the laying of the deceased and for placing the grave goods. Tombs 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 had no rock platforms.

Only two tombs contained articulated human skeletal remains. Tomb 1 contained one articulation, whilst Tomb 8 contained three articulated individuals lying next to each other. One of the three skeletons was found buried on top of slabs which were placed intentionally on the water trench to provide a +oor for the dead. Tomb 8 also contained a cinerary urn containing cremated human bones. Stratigraphic evidence within Tomb 8 indicates that the Figure 5. The shaft and chamber entrance of Tomb 8 at Tal- Ħotba cremation was introduced into the tomb THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 69 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries chamber a*er the three inhumations. rectangular in shape, but shorter and wider It is being suggested that Tomb 8 was than the "rst type. !ese shorter trenches opened for burial at least twice during are also cut in rows almost 10m apart, and its use. Tombs 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 contained are laid out on a NW to SE alignment. In disarticulated human bone. !is fact, there are points were two trenches disturbance may have been due to roof set on di7erent axis intersect each other collapse, machinery disturbance or water forming what looks like a ‘cross-type’ in"ltration. rock-cut trench. !e two systems seem to belong to di7erent historical periods, and Various funerary goods were deposited may have been created to host di7erent within the graves. !ese included pottery agricultural practices or crop-types. !e vessels, glass objects, animal bones and trenches were "lled with a "ne reddish seashells, and metal items such as nails. earth, occasional large stones as well as Typical Roman pottery shapes found a few abraded pottery fragments. Also inside the chambers of these rock-cut associated with these agricultural features tombs include: oil lamps, small vessels is the presence of a number of rock-cut (unguentaria, open vessels and juglets), as post-holes located along the sides of the well as some coarse wares. trenches. !e relationship between the post-holes and the trenches is still unclear. Tal-Ħotba agricultural trenches and post-holes It is interesting to note that both the At Tal-Ħotba, numerous rock-cut features tombs and the agricultural trenches were were uncovered in both Zone A and probably in use contemporaneously Zone B (Fig. 4). In the main part, these during the Roman period. features consisted of rock-cut trenches that were dug to facilitate water drainage or to provide extra depth for root ROMAN TOMB CLUSTER AND penetration. Such improvements in the QUARRIES AT BULEBEL agricultural conditions were essential for the cultivation of vines and other similar An unusual setting of tombs and quarries crops. In turn, the emerging patterns was uncovered during the recent from such sites are starting to shed light development of the new Actavis Malta on agricultural "eld systems of Roman factory at the Industrial Estate of Bulebel. and later times. !e Superintendence has !ese remains are located within an area recorded several similar features in Malta known as Bulebel il Cbir situated on the and Gozo. outskirts of Żejtun, with Tarxien to the NW and to the north (Fig. 1: 8). !e At Tal-Ħotba, rock-cut trenches were "rst archaeological remains were uncovered encountered in Zone A in 2008 along in March 2012 during the demolition with the ancient tombs described above. of an old factory for the construction A more extensive and better preserved of a new industrial plant. During the system of trenches was later uncovered clearing of the demolition debris, a and documented in Zone B in 2011. In number of rock-cut features emerged. both areas, two distinct typologies of rock- !e developer recognised these features cut trenches were identi"ed. !e "rst type as being of potential archaeological is rectangular in shape, and particularly importance and immediately informed long and narrow. At Tal-Ħotba these the Superintendence of these discoveries. trenches are cut in rows approximately So far the investigation has identi"ed 5m apart, and are laid out on a NE to SW three ancient quarries, four rock-cut tomb alignment. !e second trench-type is also chambers, and two water cisterns (Fig. 6). THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 70 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

Figure 6. Plan of the Roman quarries and tombs from Bulebel

Concurrently with these investigations, widest. In the southern half of the quarry, the developer implemented measures for four rock-cut chamber tombs were found the preservation of all of these remains. cut very close to the quarry’s upper rim !ese measures included the redesign (Fig. 7). Two rock-cut stairs, one leading of the foundations of the older factory to Tomb 4, another cut in the east face of to ensure both the conservation and the quarry were also noted. !e quarry continued access to the main area of had been partially impacted and cleared archaeological importance. of part of its "ll during the demolition of the older factory. Nevertheless, a At the time of writing, post-excavation substantial amount of deposits survived analyses are underway. !e data and the with clear stratigraphic sequences, interpretations which are being presented allowing a reconstruction of the phases in this paper are therefore preliminary. of use of this quarry. In particular we are here presenting information relating to Quarry 1 at It is likely that the rock-cut chamber Bulebel in view of its intrinsic importance tombs are older than the quarry. From the and its unusual setting. grave contents examined so far, it appears that they date to Roman and Late Roman Ancient quarry with tombs times. At some point, it appears that the Quarry 1 was a rectangular shape sha* and chamber tomb structures were measuring 14m in length and 8m at its truncated by the quarrying. Rock-cut THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 71 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries chamber tombs of this period generally present visible context may however be possessed an access sha*. In the case misleading as explained earlier. Indeed of these tombs, the access sha*s were in the case of Tomb 4 there are traces of a truncated by the deep quarry, leaving the +oor and a small part of a rock face, which burial chambers untouched as a sign of are two surviving elements of a possible respect of burial customs of the time. !is sha*. At some point during quarrying scenario would account for the unusual activities, the sha* was almost completely position of burial chambers close to the removed. In addition, stairs were hewn rim of the deep quarry. out of the rock. !ese stairs link the +oor just outside the chamber of Tomb 4 with At some point a*er the tombs were last the quarry bed below. !e objective of this used and a*er the rock cutting had ceased, link is unclear. Another set of stairs is cut the deep quarry was abandoned and "lled into the east face of the quarry, this time with debris which appears to have also linking the external surface around the dated to antiquity. A series of debris layers quarry with the quarry bed. were found resting immediately above a layer of stone chippings and torba, !e roof of three of the tomb chambers normally encountered in rock cutting were found to be damaged by the modern contexts. !is layer of stones and torba development. In the case of Tomb 1 and rested immediately on the "nal quarry 2 only the +oor has survived. !e plan bed. Apart from ceramic materials, the of Tomb 1 only part of its water trench debris deposits contained every day survived. !is tomb was oriented along a domestic remains, including seashells and NW to SE axis. No human remains were complete sea urchins. Immediately above found in this tomb. Few pottery fragments these debris deposits, sealing the layers were found in the disturbed deposits. below, a massive layer of material, mostly Tomb 2, oriented on a NE to SW axis, soil, "lled the quarry almost to the edge, has two roughly rectangular areas each about 3m above the bottom. measuring 2m by 1m on either side of a rectangular space of 3m by 2m. !e side Within this "ll a wall constructed of large areas were probably used for interments, stones was encountered. !is wall had been perhaps of one or more individuals. No carefully constructed, perhaps to serve as a skeletons were found except for a few foundation for a building. No traces of this human and animal bone fragments. !is building have survived beyond the level of this foundation wall. Any structure that could have survived above this level would have been destroyed by the construction of the 1960s factory, itself now replaced by the present factory building.

Particularly interesting are the rock cutting marks and the tool mark impressions located on the quarry bed and sides. !e impressions le* by the cut stone indicate the size, shape and method of extraction of ashlar blocks. !e tomb entrances are now located on the uppermost edge of the quarry faces. !e quarrying has le* very little indication that these tombs once had a sha* or any other form of access. !e Figure 7. General view of Quarry 1 at Bulebel THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 72 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

tomb contained a ceramic assemblage the entrance is a water trench measuring consisting of complete vessels known 1m by 0.50m. On the other side is a space from Roman other funerary contexts. intended for interment. An elevated rock pillow with head supports is found Tomb 3 is oriented on a NW to SE axis at the back of the chamber. One of these and has a rectangular chamber measuring supports is a rock-carved headrest, the 2.80m by 2m. !e chamber is divided other consists of stones simply placed into three areas: two rectangular side on the rock pillow. !ese stones would platforms measuring 1m by 2m, and have outlined and supported the head a deep water trench separating them. of the deceased person placed on this !e trench is rectangular in shape and platform. !e carved headrest also measures 0.80m by 1.60m, and its longest includes a similar stone setting. In total, sides are oriented on the tomb axis. !e two articulated skeletons were found side areas had a slightly elevated rock in supine position lying next to each pillow in which two headrests were cut other. No other bones were found in in relief. !e rock pillows of the two side this chamber. !e pottery assemblage areas are at opposite ends of the chamber. consisted of complete vessels including !e tomb could accommodate at least plates, jugs and oil lamps. four individuals. !e tomb entrance has a square shape of 0.50m. !e entrance was found blocked with large stones, probably CONCLUSION placed intentionally to block o7 the tomb a*er the last interment. !e ongoing work of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage in monitoring !e contents of the tomb included very ongoing land development works, and fragmented and deteriorated human bone, the documentation of any emerging which gave no indication of articulated archaeological remains, is an essential skeletons. !e deterioration is probably tool in building up our understanding due to periodic seasonal +ooding of of the ancient landscape in the area of the burial chamber in ancient times, as Zejtun. !e archaeological interventions suggested by di7erent waterlines on the at Tal-Barrani, Tal-Ħotba and Bulebel sides of the chamber. !e grave goods are especially clear examples of this included pottery, coins and personal process of landscape reconstruction. ornaments such as a bone hairpin. From these investigations it is becoming increasingly apparent how the main !e best preserved tomb, structurally monuments of antiquity, such as the villa and in content, is Tomb 4. !is tomb is site at Żejtun, were located within a dense oriented on a NE to SW axis. Presently network of agro-industrial activities, this tomb is accessed through a +ight of such as agricultural "eld systems and steps from the bottom of the quarry. Like stone quarries. !ese investigations are Tomb 3, its entrance is also square in also throwing light on the relationships, shape and measures 0.50m. !e entrance spatial and otherwise, which tied ritually was sealed with a slab. signi"cant sites such as tombs and catacombs with the key infrastructure !e chamber is square in shape of antiquity – the roads, "elds and measuring 2m. On one side, in front of settlements. THE ŻEJTUN ROMAN VILLA RESEARCH  CONSERVATION  MANAGEMENT 73 !e Żejtun Villa and its ancient landscape – three new archaeological discoveries

References

National Library of Malta Treasury B 289, 290: Cabreo Magisteriale (1654), Vol. I and II Ordnance Survey Sheets, Map of Malta: Sheets 108, 109, 121 and 122. 1912/14 Museums Department, 1910-11. Museum Annual Reports. (MAR). , Museums Department, 1911/12. Museum Annual Reports. (MAR). Valletta, Government of Malta Museums Department, 1912/13. Museum Annual Reports. (MAR). Valletta, Government of Malta Museums Department, 1961. Museum Annual Reports. (MAR). Valletta, Government of Malta Museums Department, 1963. Museum Annual Reports. (MAR). Valletta, Government of Malta Museums Department, 1964. Museum Annual Reports. (MAR). Valletta, Government of Malta Museums Department, 1965. Museum Annual Reports. (MAR). Valletta, Government of Malta Museums Department, 1966. Museum Annual Reports. (MAR). Valletta, Government of Malta Museums Department File, MUS. 1938-1939 WETTINGER, G. 2000. Place-names of the Maltese Islands ca. 1300-1800. Malta, PEG Ltd. ZAMMIT, T. 1909-1912. Archaeological Field Notes, Book III. Manuscript held at the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta ZAMMIT, T. 1912-1917. Archaeological Field Notes, Book IV. Manuscript held at the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta

Endnotes

1 !roughout, the forms of place names follow original spelling in various map and historic sources. 2 !e authors would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance and collaboration of various public entities, MEPA, archaeology monitors, volunteers as well as the architects and developers responsible for these projects.