Din l-Art Ħelwa is calling on the  Superintendence of Cultural Heritage to issue an unequivocal public statement acknowledging that palaeontological remains and associated geological layers will be afforded protection to minimise risk of irreparable damage or permanent loss of our cultural heritage. 

The NGO has closely followed recent reports in the Times of Malta  on the discovery of Carcharocles megalodon teeth, other fossil-containing rocks and rock-hewn spaces in Triq tal-Viani/Triq Gorg Pisani, Victoria, where road-widening works are being carried out.

The fossils are reportedly some 16 million years old and, originally embedded within a Miocene era geological layer, were found lying on the ground, below the wheel of a bulldozer, some of which were damaged by ongoing development works.

The works were meant to be monitored by a professional registered archaeologist, under the direct supervision of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

The discovery was made by Dr Dawn Adrienne Saliba, who is doing post-doctoral work in archaeology. Dr Saliba drew the attention of the responsible government entities and authorities to the discovery, highlighting the urgency to temporarily stop works until the area was scientifically investigated, adequately documented and any fossils either collected or preserved in situ. However, instead of being praised her attention, Dr Saliba was threatened with legal action and an intimidating attitude by none other than the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, which DLĦ finds to be seriously worrying.

DLĦ expressed its concern that when the palaeontological remains were uncovered, the person operating the machinery did not stop works immediately. To add insult to injury, the archaeological monitor did not take control of the situation, stop works on site and carry out the obligatory recording, collection and labelling of the finds. Instead, these paleontological remains were left scattered across a publicly accessible site, vulnerable to theft or further damage.

The assertion that the regulator of cultural heritage “only monitors for archaeological, not paleontological, remains” is shocking to say the least.

DLĦ reminds that according to the Cultural Heritage Act (CAP 445) Art. 7 (1) cultural heritage is defined in “movable or immovable objects of artistic, architectural, historical, archaeological, ethnographic, palaeontological and geological importance and includes information or data relative to cultural heritage pertaining to Malta or to any other country”.

DLĦ recommends that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage without delay: 

  1. endorses and encourages community participation in the protection of cultural heritage 
  1. issues clear guidelines on what the public should do in similar circumstances as those encountered by Dr Saliba 
  1. establishes a dedicated emergency number, for reports to be made by the public 
  1. establishes an enforcement unit within its structure.