The Archaeology of MaltaThe Maltese archipelago is a unique barometer for understanding cultural change in the central Mediterranean. Prehistoric people helped reshape the islands' economy and when Mediterranean maritime highways were being established, the islands became a significant lure to Phoenician colonists venturing from their Levantine homeland. Punic Malta also sat at the frontline of regional hostilities until it fell to Rome. Preserved in this island setting are signs of people's endurance and adaptation to each new challenge. This book is the first systematic and up-to-date survey of the islands' archaeological evidence from the initial settlers to the archipelago's inclusion into the Roman world (c. 5000 BC-400 AD). Claudia Sagona draws upon old and new discoveries and her analysis covers well-known sites such as the megalithic structures, as well as less familiar locations and discoveries. She interprets the archaeological record to explain changing social and political structures, intriguing ritual practices and cultural contact through several millennia. |
Contents
BOXES | 1 |
The First Settlers and Farmers | 20 |
Indications of Source Preference within the Lithic Industry | 33 |
The Late | 47 |
Dimples Pellets and Bosses as Decorative Features | 71 |
Population Estimates for the Late Neolithic in Malta | 85 |
An Ethnographic Account | 107 |
Pushing Boundaries at the End of the Megalithic | 115 |
Chapter 6 | 173 |
Language and Writing | 194 |
Melita and Gaulos during the Punic Period | 218 |
Quintinus Jean Quintin dAutun and the PunicRoman Temple Sites | 249 |
Maltas Place in the Roman World | 264 |
Tenets of Mithraism | 286 |
Closing Remarks | 296 |
Notes | 331 |
Creation of Ancient Fields RunOff Farming and Economic Gain | 124 |
The Appearance of the AxeBearers | 134 |
Disc Figurines of the Tarxien Cemetery Phase | 144 |
Phoenician Mariners Merchants and Settlers | 171 |
397 | |
441 | |
Other editions - View all
The Archaeology of Malta: From the Neolithic through the Roman Period Claudia Sagona Limited preview - 2015 |
Common terms and phrases
ancient appear approx archipelago architecture artefacts Ashby Baħrija Bonanno bone Borg in-Nadur bowls Bronze Age Buhagiar burial Burmarrad Carthage Caruana cave Cazzella century BC cistern code Material Result complex contexts cultural decoration depicting deposits dolmen early elevation Evans evidence excavations Figure figurines finds forms fragments funerary furrows Ggantija Għajn Ghar Għar Dalam Gozo Ħag?ar Qim Ħal Saflieni indicate islands jugs Kordin Lab code Material Late Neolithic lithic locations Malone Maltese Marsaxlokk Material Result BP Mdina Mediterranean megalithic megalithic buildings megalithic structures Melitan phase Mellieħa Mgarr Mnajdra monuments Mtarfa Museum N. C. Vella Neolithic obsidian Phoenician Phoenician-Punic possible pottery prehistoric Punic R_Date Rabat Red Skorba region remains ritual rock-cut Roman period Sagona San Pawl San Pawl Milqi settlement sherds Sicily Skorba stone Tanasi Tarxien Cemetery Tas-Silg temple tion tomb Triq Trump vessels wall wares Xagħra Xagħra Circle Xemxija Xewkija Z.ebbug Zammit