Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1528241
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 23 OCTOBER 2024 NEWS MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt Punic tomb discovered beneath car park works opposite Mater Dei Hospital A Punic tomb dating back ap- proximately 2,300 years has been uncovered at the site where the Foundation for Medical Services (FMS) is currently developing a car park for staff opposite Mater Dei Hospital. The remarkable archaeological find was made during trenching works for potable water instal- lation, which is part of the road formation associated with the project. The Superintendence of Cultur- al Heritage (SCH) has been over- seeing the site since the start of the project, ensuring the protection and study of any potential discov- eries during development works. During excavation works, a chamber hewn in solid natural rock was discovered. Upon fur- ther investigation by the SCH's archaeology monitors on site, it was revealed that the chamber was part of a larger burial com- plex. The discovery consists of three burial chambers, each accessed through a central shaft, char- acteristic of Punic and Roman period tombs. Remarkably, the entrance to each chamber was sealed with original slabs, and the contents inside included human remains and grave goods. The SCH's experts, including archaeologists and osteologists, have been working on site to ex- cavate, document, and interpret the remains. The human remains and artefacts have since been carefully transferred to the SCH laboratory for further analysis. The findings, which include skeletal remains, cremation urns, and other funerary artefacts, pro- vide a valuable insight into the ancient community that once in- habited the region. Preliminary analysis indicates a Punic timeline, although some artefacts suggest an extended pe- riod of use into the early Roman era. In total, the chambers contain the remains of multiple inhuma- tions and cremations, offering a rare glimpse into the burial prac- tices of the time. Work at the SCH lab will now focus on cleaning, conservation, and further documentation of the artefacts and bones. Specialised studies will determine age, sex, pathology, and trauma, with the possibility of further studies such as C14 dating and a DNA analysis to better understand the people buried in the tomb. "This discovery underscores the importance of ongoing cohesion between development projects and cultural heritage preserva- tion to protect and study Malta's rich historical legacy," the Foun- dation for Medical Services and SCH said. Efforts are already underway to ensure the tomb is retained in its entirety, with plans for perma- nent controlled access to allow for continued study and preser- vation of this significant archae- ological site. Now that all the human remains and artefacts have been safely re- moved from the site, work on the car park has resumed. The car park will accommodate over 130 vehicles and provide much-needed parking for the staff of Mater Dei Hospital. The Superintendence of Cultur- al Heritage will continue to mon- itor the development works until their completion so as to ensure the protection and preservation of further potential discoveries in the area. Three burial chambers, each accessed through a central shaft, sealed with original slabs, contents include human remains and grave goods The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) has been overseeing the site since the start of the project, ensuring the protection and study of any potential discoveries during development works CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The bill amends the amount of drugs that serve as a guideline for the Attor- ney General to determine whether a case is heard by a magistrate's court, or whether the case is heard in front of a jury, where the maximum punishment for each court changes from a 10-year prison sentence to life in prison, respec- tively. Attard explained that presently, the law excludes the possibility of a person accused of drug-related crimes to be handed a suspended sentence or a pro- bation order if the amount of drugs in question exceeds the aforementioned quantities. The amendment gives the court the ability to give a probation order to a defendant accused of such crimes. At the court's discretion, an accused who is to be sentenced to less than two years imprisonment for the first time may be handed a probation order. This, Attard explained, can ensure jus- tice for drug victims without amending the amount of drugs that draws the line between trafficking and personal use. The bill also amends the consequenc- es for those found guilty of simple pos- session of drugs in prison or any oth- er "place of detention." Firstly, the bill states that a person found in simple pos- session of drugs while being detained is not automatically subject to a prison sentence as the law currently stands. Secondly, the bill changes the wording of the law so that this principle extends, not only to prison, but other "places of detention." It was explained that this was done to take into account instances where a person who is held in a police station and is found in possession of a minor amount of drugs. During the briefing, Attard, as well as government whip, Naomi Cachia ap- pealed for an informed discussion free from misinformation. The pair blasted the opposition for its sensational speech earlier this year, adding that such a sensitive subject merits sensibility. In a Facebook post, Nationalist MP Karol Aquilina said his party will vote against this bill, which he claims favours drug traffickers over justice. He criticised the proposed law, saying that it would make it easier for large- scale drug traffickers to receive lighter sentences. He argues that the govern- ment wants to allow people caught with firearms during a crime to be treated as "victims" and benefit from special pro- cedures in the Drug Court. Aquilina called this proposal danger- ous, as it risks the safety of police of- ficers and sends the wrong message to society. The reform was the subject of con- troversy during the first weeks of 2024, when PN leader Bernard Grech was among a number of people criticising government's intention to introduce a moderate increase in the maximum amounts of drugs in a person's posses- sion that can be considered as being for personal use. The bill was presented to parliament on Tuesday. PN says amended bill favours drug traffickers over justice VACANCY Hakan Kaya, has a vacancy for an Upholsterer specialising in awning manufacturing and marine upholstery. Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years' experience, fluently speaking English and Turkish. Hourly rate from €6. Kindly send your CV to hakan.kaya08@hotmail.com