Punic tomb complex, Birkirkara, MaltaMalta Superintendence of Cultural Heritage
Posted on 10/24/2024 5:36:19 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
The discovery consists of three burial chambers, each accessed through a central shaft, characteristic of Punic and Roman period tombs. Remarkably, the entrance to each chamber was sealed with original slabs, and the contents inside included human remains and grave goods... The human remains and artefacts have since been carefully transferred to the SCH laboratory for further analysis.
The findings, which include skeletal remains, cremation urns, and other funerary artefacts, provide a valuable insight into the ancient community that once inhabited the region.
Preliminary analysis indicates a Punic timeline, although some artefacts suggest an extended period of use into the early Roman era.
In total, the chambers contain the remains of multiple inhumations and cremations, offering a rare glimpse into the burial practices of the time.
Work at the SCH lab will now focus on cleaning, conservation, and further documentation of the artefacts and bones. Specialised studies will determine age, sex, pathology, and trauma, with the possibility of further studies such as C14 dating and a DNA analysis to better understand the people buried in the tomb...
Now that all the human remains and artefacts have been safely removed from the site, work on the car park has resumed.
(Excerpt) Read more at maltatoday.com.mt ...
Punic tomb complex, Birkirkara, MaltaMalta Superintendence of Cultural Heritage
When are they going to chance upon the tomb of an inveterate book lover? Someone with a broad sampler of his faves, with which to while away eternity?
Punic?
Yeah, it looks awfully puny................
That would be great! When such things have been found often they’ve been recycled scrolls used for mummy wrappings. Those have been in Egypt which is arid, and that’s the problem — tombs tend to be below ground and moist by and large organic material just rots.
LOL
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