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A post-Roman burial ground has been discovered at Bidnija containing at least two skeletal remains. In a press release on Tuesday, Heritage stated that the find- ings provide fresh insight into the area's long-term histori- cal development and appear to corroborate information from Late Medieval historical sourc- es, which indicate the area re- mained in use well beyond the Roman age in Malta. Heritage Malta noted that the burial site is the latest in a num- ber of findings that shed light on the area's social and agricul- tural history. "From an apsed building, con- servator-restorers have meticu- lously uncovered layers of fine decorated plaster, carefully lift- ing each piece for further study and conservation," Heritage Malta said. The researchers also found the presence of the ancient ol- ive grove and a unique Roman stone vat specifically used to de- cant olive oil. The excavations are part of the OLEA project, a collaborative effort launched in 2020 involv- ing Heritage Malta, the Univer- sity of Malta, and the Superin- tendence of Cultural Heritage. The initiative combines na- tional expertise and resources to manage, protect, and study one of Malta's most promising rural heritage sites, situated in Bidnija. Heritage Malta said that the OLEA project continues to serve as a vital training ground for University of Malta archae- ology students, providing them with valuable hands-on field- work experience while contrib- uting to an active research pro- ject. The site first came to the at- tention of Sir Temi Zammit in 1912 but remained largely un- explored until it was revisited during the Malta Survey Project (2008–2012). The Malta Survey Project used ground-penetrat- ing radar and surface artefact analysis, which revealed buried structures consistent with a Ro- man villa farm complex, located near an olive grove estimated to be over 500 years old. Future excavations at Bidnija are scheduled to resume next year. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 JULY 2025 NEWS Post-Roman burial ground unearthed at Bidnija Photos: Heritage Malta Heritage Malta noted that the burial site is the latest in a number of findings that shed light on the area's social and agricultural history