Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1191618
12.12.19 12 OPINION George Mangion DIN l-Art Helwa has successfully called for the intervention of the Superintend- ence for Cultural Heritage and for the Planning Authority concerning an ap- plication by a developer to remove the top soil on a three tumoli site in Tal -Wej, Mosta - a hallowed ground host- ing bronze age remains. e site is located outside develop- ment zone in the outskirts of San Pawl Tat-Targa and the archaeological inves- tigation is being proposed by the owner of the land. In the past, Mosta residents gave a sigh of relief after so many years of protest the tomb area at Tal-Wej cur- rently lying in ruins was finally sched- uled by PA. anks for the environmentalists who lobbied unsung and unaided for years they succeeded (so far) to protect this sacred burial ground in Mosta from the ravages of demolition and building works. However, a development permit was issued by PA for a massive build- ing project of showrooms, flats and basement garages in an area known as il-Wesgha tal-Gganti, in the road next to the Lidl supermarket, and just oppo- site the entrance to MCAST. e Superintendent of Cultural Her- itage proclaimed that the site itself had low archaeological value saying that he cannot afford to protect all areas within the approved development plan as this will be tantamount to classify the en- tire spatial plan as "fossil" Malta. But residents disagree saying that if we ig- nore precautions and send in excava- tors to dig up ancestor tombs, dolmens and catacombs we destroy our heritage and all this will eventually turn the is- land into a jungle of glass and concrete structures - a soul less city. is land is listed as sacred in "Storja tal Mosta" in a book written by famous historian E.B. Vella who points out to the discovery of megaliths dating to the Neolithic peri- od. Vella also makes reference to earli- er descriptions of the area by Grognet, as well as folkloric references, which suggest the presence of more complex megalithic structures. is saga begs the question - what is the cost of pro- tecting our heritage from overzealous developers and can the benefits of com- mercial exploitation of such land ever outweigh the loss of our patrimony. An argument has developed of late as to who shall compensate developers who own land blessed with proven ar- tifacts, dolmens or remains of ancient tombs. Is the public expected to yield to pressure from developers owning such plots? e latter protest that their live- lihood is threatened given the high in- cidence of ancient ruins and archeolog- ical remains. e dilemma often tests the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage when asked to decide to veto develop- ment permits issued on certain sites. is is a rich legacy from our ancestors bequeathing us with an island with sites showing traces of rare archeological re- mains particularly from the Bronze age period consisting of catacombs, shallow tombs dug in rock and sometimes the presence of complex megalithic struc- tures which form an opulent archeolog- ical marvel. With hindsight, one recalls how in 2006, there was a substantial extension of the national development plan which any doubt included ODZ land approved in Parliament. Such a land parcel did treasure rich artifacts. It is obvious that owners of such land endowed with archeological remains are faced with a veto from the Super- intendence of Heritage mandating that the land cannot be developed. Can the argument go - we cannot halt progress and building activity considering the fact that the island is so dotted with ar- tifacts that one may cheekily brand it as a "fossil" island. Can we protect such heritage when there are so many land parcels rich in garigue community re- plete with a network of rock pools and ancient tombs which archaeologists proudly list as areas of ecological im- portance? us, it should come as no surprise that developers or speculators question the value of heritage and rele- vance of preventive archaeology. Seeing it as a hindrance to their business plans they persist to question its importance and lobby against its protection at the highest political level. Really and truly, preventive archae- ology is not only about protecting our heritage, but also about the discipline of a true interpretation of archaeology based on a scientific knowledge of the past. In an island so rich in ancient pat- rimony the topic unfortunately opens a multitude of varying interpretations, conflict of interests and fuels debate be- tween various stakeholders such as ar- chaeologists, historians, business com- munity and the general public. Let us consider another important era that is the unique Temple Period civilisation. is is famous for having built the oldest free-standing stone structures in the world. ey covered Malta and Gozo with over 30 temple complexes over their 1100-year history. Apart from extensive temple sites cluttered with the evidence of complex rituals and animal sacrifices, intricate burial complexes were also built showing a deep respect for death. It was during the Temple Pe- riod that interesting artwork flourished. Hundreds of statues have been discov- ered (see picture). Such discoveries are famous for abundantly fertile 'fat ladies', these only make up around 15% of the statues found, with phallic symbols be- ing much more common. is needs protection from the state agencies such as ERA. Simply paying a fee by developers to sanction trans- gressions is blood money. Nothing can compensate for the permanent loss of the archaeological heritage such Phoe- nician sanctuaries and rock-cut tombs, or even Roman villas in the countryside and by the sea, not to mention late Ro- man and Byzantine Catacombs, and Is- lamic burial grounds. It is, therefore, the State - as an em- anation of the community of citizens and not as an abstract entity - which must organize preventive excavations through adequate funding of public research institutions responsible for defining national research programs and eventually publishing the results of such excavations. Another glaring example of abuse in excavating close to archeologically sensitive area is that of a planned development next to an ear- ly Neolithic site in Tas-Srug, Xagħra, Gozo. is is rated to be at least 5,000 years old since an investigation in 2012 resulted in the discovery of mud brick walls, ancient pottery and other re- mains. is prehistoric settlement at Tas- Sruġ is threatened by the building of two maisonettes, four apartments and a penthouse, including a communal pool. e Superintendence of Cultural Heritage registered no objection to the proposed development provided that works were archaeologically monitored. In conclusion, one may comment that thankfully the economy has turned the corner and our national budget regis- tered a surplus so we can afford a high- er subvention to the protectors of such heritage. Let us halt developers' greed, wanting to turn the island into a concrete jungle in the mad rush to activate the domestic multiplier effect to continue ratcheting the GDP index - a race to the bottom to build soul-less concrete structures of doubtful architectural merit. Protecting our heritage George Mangion is a senior partner of an audit and consultancy firm, and has over 25 years experience in accounting, taxation, financial and consultancy services. His efforts have seen PKF being instrumental in establishing many companies in Malta and ensured PKF become one of the foremost professional financial service providers on the Island