Ras il-Wardija
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File:Ras il-wardija Punic Temple.jpg
Rock-hewn chamber at Ras il-Wardija
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Location | San Lawrenz, Gozo, Malta |
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Type | Religious complex, possibly a nymphaeum |
History | |
Material | Limestone |
Founded | 3rd century BC |
Abandoned | 4th century AD |
Periods | Punic and Roman |
Site notes | |
Excavation dates | 1964–1967 |
Archaeologists | Missione Archaeologica Italiana a Malta |
Condition | Dilapidated |
Ownership | George Spiteri |
Public access | Limited |
Ras il-Wardija is a promontory in the limits of San Lawrenz, on the southwest coast of Gozo, Malta. It contains the remains of a Punic-Roman sanctuary, which was excavated by Italian archaeologists in the 1960s. The area is privately owned and it is currently in a dilapidated state.[1]
The site
Ras il-Wardija was probably first inhabited in the Bronze Age, in around 1500 BC. In around the 3rd century BC,[2] during the Punic period, a religious complex (probably a nymphaeum) was established in the area. Since the site is clearly visible from the sea, it might have also served as a beacon for ships travelling between the Maltese Islands and North Africa.[3]
The site remained in use throughout the Roman period. Carved crosses on the walls suggest that the site eventually became a Christian place of worship.[3] The site remained in use until around the 4th century AD.[2] A hermitage might have existed in the area during the medieval period.[4]
The main structural elements of the site are:
- a rock-hewn rectangular chamber, with a number of niches in the walls
- a T-shaped rock-hewn corridor leading to the chamber
- a water reservoir and a bell-shaped well, both rock-hewn
- the remains of an external masonry structure including an altar
The masonry structure has some similarities to the remains of the Punic-Roman sanctuary at Tas-Silġ in Marsaxlokk.[3]
Excavations and recent history
The area around Ras il-Wardija was used for defensive purposes during World War II.[3] The site was first excavated by the Missione Archaeologica Italiana a Malta (Archaeological Mission of Malta) between 1964 and 1967.[2] The temple was well preserved until the excavations, but it has since deteriorated.[5]
On 30 March 1988, it was discovered that an ancient graffito carved on one of the walls of the sanctuary had been stolen. The graffito shows a human figure with outstretched arms, in the shape of a cross. It has been suggested that the figure represents the Punic goddess Tanit, but it might also be a medieval representation of a Christian cross. The graffito was recovered in June 2011, and it is now on display at the Gozo Museum of Archaeology in the Cittadella.[3]
The land on which the sanctuary is located is privately owned by George Spiteri, and permission may be required in order to access the site.[5] It is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[2]
References
- ↑ Zammit, V. (1997, February 9). Is-Santwarju ta' Ras il-Wardija Għawdex. Mument: Pizzikanna, p. 3.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons
- Pages with broken file links
- Populated places established in the 2nd millennium BC
- 1964 archaeological discoveries
- San Lawrenz
- Phoenician temples
- Temples in Malta
- Archaeological sites in Malta
- National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands
- Phoenician colonies in Malta
- Tanit
- World War II sites in Malta