Local media today announced that yesterday evening, an official announcement was done that a stretch of sea outside of Xlendi, Gozo has been declared the World’s first Deepwater Archaeological Park. The park is also complemented by the nearby Xlendi Tower which hosts some artefacts that had been recovered from the seabed and which was also recently restored and re-opened.
Heritage Malta also added a page on its own website which gives a historical background of the site:
Hidden beneath the azure waves of Xlendi Bay in Gozo lies a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, waiting to be discovered. While the Phoenician shipwreck from the 7th century BC steals the limelight, there is a wealth of other remarkable artefacts to be found. Since the late 1950s, a captivating array of cultural relics, with amphorae leading the way, has been meticulously rescued from the inlet’s depths just beneath the sentinel-like coastal watch tower that proudly stands at the entrance of Xlendi.
Various exploratory projects were conducted on this deep-water multi-period site with mixed results. In 1993, a submarine survey revealed a dense scatter of amphorae located in depths varying between 108 and 112 metres. In 2007, the extent of this archaeological deposit was mapped and recorded, revealing a rectangular zone of high archaeological value consisting of varying densities of archaeological material spread over a total area of 67,000m². Besides the visible material, the presence of archaeological remains buried in the sediment is highly likely, owing to the continuous sediment deposition from the Xlendi ria.
The seabed consists of a silty sand punctuated by a series of rocky outcrops that vary in size and around which archaeological objects have accumulated. These consist mostly of amphorae but also include urns, bowls, and other ceramic objects. The quantity of homogenous material suggests the presence of at least one shipwreck, datable to the third century BC. In 2021, Heritage Malta launched an ambitious project to record the site in high-resolution to better understand the morphology of this unique underwater archaeological site. The site was confirmed an Archaeological Zone at Sea in 2020, and in 2022 it was declared as the world’s first deep-water archaeological part. The Xlendi Underwater Archaeological park opens for divers in the summer of 2023. The park is sponsored by the MIA Foundation
https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/xlendi-underwater-archaeological-park/
The government’s announcement about the launch event also made reference to the Malta Virtual Underwater Museum, which has been online for over a year now. The site two specific wrecks within the Xlendi park zone, the Tower Wreck and the Phoenician Wreck, both of which in excess of 100m depth.
The area had already been declared an archaeological zone at sea in 2020 through Notice to Mariners 8 of 2020 which also lists other sites that enjoy the same status of protected zones.
The boundaries as per that NTM may be seen here: https://goo.gl/maps/TdnA4kKyMwXinQip7
The sites are now accessible via participating Diving Centres and Clubs in collaboration with the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit in the same way as other protected sites featured on underwatermalta.org are accessible.
Government’s DOI Press release
The world’s first Deepwater Archaeological Park has been inaugurated off Xlendi in Gozo by the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici and the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri.
Speaking during the park’s inauguration ceremony, Minister Owen Bonnici remarked that this park was designated as an Archaeological Zone at Sea in 2020 and encompasses a rectangular area of significant archaeological value, covering a total of 67,000m². “Through this park, researchers and technical divers from all over the world can explore the history of Malta from the completely different perspective that archaeology offers,” stated Minister Bonnici.
The Minister continued that this Park can also be accessed virtually on www.underwatermalta.org. “By means of this virtual museum, more people can appreciate the unique sites of our seas,” concluded Minister Bonnici.
Minister Clint Camilleri expressed his satisfaction that the first deep sea archaeological park in the world is being inaugurated in Gozo. “This park is an additional incentive for travellers to opt for Gozo as their destination of choice, offering them a distinct and unparalleled stay unlike any other. Yet, our mission transcends enhancing the tourism facet; it encompasses safeguarding our cultural legacy and all that our ancestors bequeathed to us, thus upholding our unique identity and defining attributes,” concluded Minister Camilleri whilst commending all those involved, whose collective efforts brought this visionary project to reality.
Professor Timmy Gambin, who heads Heritage Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit, explained that Xlendi has witnessed innovative undersea technologies since the late 1950s. “The launch of this unique park elevates the submerged deposits off Xlendi and enhances Gozo’s cultural heritage as well as its tourism product. Through future collaborative efforts and thanks to the generous support of the Malta Airport Foundation, Gozo will continue to develop as a centre of excellence in the fields of underwater archaeology and heritage management,” stated Prof. Gambin.
The Malta Airport Foundation’s Chairman Josef Formosa Gauci stated that the foundation supported this project as underwater heritage is a crucial part of the Maltese Islands’ tourism and is also part of our identity. “Although the depths at which this park is found make it accessible only to a niche of technical divers, Heritage Malta is doing an excellent job in bringing the discoveries closer to specialised audiences and the general public. The Foundation is honoured to have contributed to the milestones achieved so far and is committed to continue supporting this unique endeavour, which is not only important locally but also to the history of the wider central Mediterranean,” stated Mr Formosa Gauci.
Damien Spiteri, Mayor of Munxar, said that such initiatives offer a unique dimension of Xlendi’s cultural and historical heritage and the promotion of its rich history. “Such initiatives and projects are in harmony with the village’s natural environment and unique characteristics. Initiatives like these make it possible to preserve and enjoy the true spirit of Xlendi,” stated the Mayor of Munxar.
The park’s depth ranges between 105 and 115 metres, where the seabed consists of fine silt and sand punctuated by a series of rocky outcrops formed by extinct coral reefs. Around these outcrops are concentrations of archaeological objects, mostly amphorae. It is highly likely that more archaeological remains are buried in the sediment, based on the continuous deposition of sediment from Xlendi Valley and the presence of partially buried objects.
The park, sponsored by the Malta Airport Foundation, is the result of a collaborative effort between Heritage Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the University of Malta, and the Munxar Local Council.
DOI Press release
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