Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/820803
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 MAY 2017 News JAMES DEBONO A four-storey block consisting of a showroom, five maisonettes, seven apartments, four penthouses and 18 basement garages is being proposed by AX Holdings in an archaeologically sensitive area known as il-Wesgha tal-Ġganti in Mosta which was added to development boundaries in the 2006 extension of development zones. The development will also include a car park. A 2014 investigation by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had identified a high field wall to the south of the property which includes large "ashlar blocks" deserving conservation. But experts are warning that the area may yield further findings, possibly a hypogeum in depres- sions under the rocks found on the site. The "sizable boulders" in the rubble wall at the pe- riphery of the site are a rare testimony to reports of megalithic remains in and around the Mosta fort, the Archaeological Society of Malta confirmed in submissions sent to the Planning Authority. The society is calling for the "preservation of this feature and any archaeological feature present Showroom proposed on archaeological site within the site and the surround- ing area". While acknowledging that the project would involve extensive underground excavations, the Su- perintendence for Cultural Herit- age has not objected to the devel- opment but has recommended archaeological monitoring during the works. But anthropologist Michael De- guara has presented a detailed re- port on the area's archaeological value. In his report Deguara insists that "further studies" are needed before any decision on develop- ment in the area is taken. Such studies should include laser moni- toring or a geophysical survey of the area to complement the work already carried out by the Superin- tendence in 2014. This should ensure that if there are "any important underground remains in the site, these are at least documented before any fur- ther development takes place". "Lecturer and researcher Dr Su- zanne Psaila has already offered to take care of the laser scanning ses- sions required to investigate this site that include organising laser scanning activities for data acquisi- tion, 3D analysis and 3D modelling for records and public representa- tion." The field in which the develop- ment is being proposed forms part of an area known as Tal-Qares and Misrah Ghonoq, which receives mention by E.B. Vella in his "Storja tal-Mosta". Vella refers to mega- liths dating to the Neolithic period in the area of Misrah Ghonoq. Vel- la also makes reference to earlier descriptions of the area by Grog- net, as well as folkloric references, which suggest the presence of more complex megalithic structures in the area. The site is also referenced in Dr Anton Bugeja's paper "Archaeolog- ical sites around tal-Bistra". In this paper, Bugeja refers to "the mega- liths found or documented at the northern part of Mosta between Tal-Qares and Misrah Ghonoq". Significantly the report notes that the area contains two depressions cut in the rock, one small and one much larger. According to Bugeja "at least one hypogeum existed in the area known as Tal-Ghammariet, prob- ably in the area now known as Tal-Qares" although it is unclear whether this is related to a depres- sion found in the site of the devel- opment. #startsavingnow 3.25% REGULAR BONUS DECLARED FOR 2016 A SECURE, TAX-EFFICIENT * AND RELIABLE WAY TO SAVE You've heard it over and over and deep down you know it's true - saving and doing so as soon as possible can make a huge difference to your future well- being. We're here to support you through attractive and flexible savings solutions that can be tailored to help you reach your goals. Let's start saving together for your brighter future. For more information on our range of Savings Plans call MAPFRE MSV Life on freephone 8007 2220, visit www.msvlife.com, contact any of our Tied Insurance Intermediaries or visit any branch of Bank of Valletta or APS Bank. *Returns from Investments in With Profits are free from tax in the hands of the policy owner according to current legislation. Investment returns can go down as well as up and the past is not necessarily a guide to future performance. MAPFRE MSV Life p.l.c. is authorised by the Malta Financial Ser vices Authority to carr y on long term business under the Insurance Business Act 1998. COM MSV100417 A photomontage showing the showroom intruding on the surrounding rural environment which contains rubble walls containing megalithic stones