By University of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
University of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
The Quadrants (2019) by University of Malta/J. WoodUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
Slowly but surely, the Phoenician Shipwreck Project team are uncovering buried layers of the ship's cargo.
Inspecting the quadrants (2019) by University of Malta/D. GrationUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
Project Director inspects objects recently uncovered in the 2019 excavation.
Amphora with Graffito (2019) by University of MaltaUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
Details such as this rare graffito...
...are exposed and recorded as the excavation progresses.
Bowl in situ by University of Malta/D. GrationUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
A rare Phoenician bowl being uncovered in the lower levels of the cargo. Only through the systematic excavation of the sediments can such precious objects be located, recorded and recovered.
Lifting the amphoras (2017) by University of MaltaUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
As the excavation progresses some of the archaeological objects are carefully removed from the site and lifted to the surface.
Lifting the amphoras (2018) by University of Malta/D. GrationUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
Lifting bags help raise objects gently to divers waiting near the support vessel.
Archaeological finds from the wreck (2018) by University of MaltaUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
Once on the surface objects are placed in tanks in order to be desalinated.
Amphora (7th Century BC) by UnknownUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
All archaeological objects are subsequently photographed and recorded. This information is stored in a specialised database.
Pithos (7th Century BC) by UnkownUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
This large storage container is one of only two present in the cargo. Four decorative 'pinches' near the mouth of the object have baffled researchers. It is not known what this container was carrying.
Phoenician Jug (7th Century BC) by UnknownUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
A small Phoenician terracotta jug that is missing the upper part - or mushroom lip. Usually found in funerary contexts this is one of the few examples recovered from an underwater site.
Saddle quern
Saddle querns were used for grinding corn into flour for the production of foodstuffs. Grain would be placed on the lower stone set on the ground and broken up by moving another worked stone backwards and forwards over it. This was carrying a cargo of complete saddle querns that were quarried on the island of Pantelleria which is located in the Sicily Channel.
A rare urn
A rare urn on the seabed just prior to its recovery. This particular objects was situated at a distance of approximately 6m from the main site. It is reasonable to assume this object was moved by fishermen's nets.
Small flat bottomed urn (7th Century BC) by UnknownUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
Urns are flat-bottomed ceramic containers with horizontal handles, of which many types found on the wreck. The ship was carrying such urns and other objects to supply Phoenician colonies.
The exhibition (2019) by University of Malta / GROPLAN ProjectUniversity of Malta, Department of Classics & Archaeology
The find was displayed at a Heritage Malta exhibition in Cittadella as well as in Brussels during Malta’s European Presidency, where it was met with considerable international interest.
Photography, 3D models & documentation: COMEX, P. Drap, D. Gration, K. Hyttinen, G. M. Iaria & J. Wood.
Special thanks to everyone who participated in this project and made it possible.
Project support provided by:
- Heritage Malta
- Malta Tourism Authority
- Malta International Airport
- Ministry for Gozo
- Honor Frost Foundation
For further information please visit http://www.lsis.org/groplan/article/art_Xlendi.html
