2,000-Year-Old Intact Tomb Discovered in Malta

A Punic tomb dating back over two thousand years was discovered during works carried out by the Water Services Corporation (WSC) in Żabbar. 

The tomb, which was still sealed, was opened, revealing a number of urns containing the cremated remains of human bones.

Given the site’s archaeological sensitivity, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage requested that an archaeologist accompany the WSC crew in case any ancient remains are discovered. 

In a statement, WSC said the first indications show that the burial site includes the remains of an adult and a child.

Moreover, an amphora, two urns, an oil lamp, a glass perfume bottle and other pottery vessels typical of the Punic period were also found. 

The burial rite was altered through the Punic and Roman times. Sometimes the bodies were burnt, and other times they were buried intact in the grave.

Cremation necessitated a variety of resources, including wood to burn the body and the presence of a person throughout the whole process of cremation which took several hours. 

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Currently, the material is being removed from the tomb and transported to a laboratory, where the pottery and bones are being consolidated, cleaned, and analyzed.