Current Fieldwork

Island Archaeology: Malta & Gozo

A 23-day intensive field-work program run by the Centre for Classics & Archaeology with Australians Studying Abroad and associated with excavations at the Punic temple site at Tas Silg, directed by the University of Malta.

About the Site

Though small, the Maltese Archipelago lies at the heart of the Mediterranean, at the strategic and trading crossroads between Europe, Africa and the Near East. People first inhabited the islands around 5000 BC from Sicily, perhaps motivated by the need to find more arable land. The subsequent age of the Temple Builders [4100–2500 BC] is marked by a lasting legacy of some 23 monumental buildings on a scale parallel to, but over a thousand years earlier than Stonehenge in Britain. These stone constructions are an enigma; they are among earliest monumental buildings in the world constructed by a people with economic and social stability. Subsequent waves of colonists are less tangible. Bronze Age immigrants exploded on the islands, apparently bringing about the extinction of the Temple culture. Eventually intrepid Phoenician traders settled in Malta and Gozo perhaps as early as 1000 BC. These folk had a tremendous impact on the religion and culture of the islands, introducing innovations such as the potter’s wheel and writing. By 218 BC, Malta fell to the Roman expansionism during which time one event did have long lasting repercussion – the shipwreck of St Paul on the island – triggering the conversion of its people to Christianity.

About the Fieldwork Program

A 23-day intensive field-work program in Malta that is available as a 25 point (double unit) subject to Credit or Cross-Credit Students or through the Community Access Program (assessed & non-assessed). In addition to site surveys, participants will have the opportunity for ‘hands on’ examination of archaeological material.

For information on the subject including its availability in the current year, refer to subject's entry the Faculty of Arts Handbook.

Academic Enquiries & Course Lecturer

Dr Claudia Sagona is a Senior Fellow in the Centre. A graduate of the University
of Melbourne, her research over the last few decades has taken her from
the Maltese Archipelago to the highlands of north-eastern Anatolia. In
Malta, she is a senior staff member of the excavations at the Punic temple
site at Tas Silg, directed by the University of Malta.

Dr Claudia Sagona
Senior Fellow
School of Art History, Cinema, Classics and Archaeology
Fax: 03-83444161
Tel: 03-83444160 (Professor Antonio Sagona)
email: c.sagona@unimelb.edu.au

Course Information and Registration

Australians Studying Abroad Pty Ltd
Office Address:
Office 6, Level 1
1087-1095 High St Armadale
Victoria 3143 Australia
Tel: (03) 9822 6899
Fax: (03) 9822 6989
Freecall:1800 645755
(outside Metro Melbourne Area Only)
Email: info@asatours.com.au
Website: http://www.asatours.com.au