 Rock-hewn chamber at Ras il-Wardija | |
  Ras il-Wardija Shown within Malta | |
| Location | San Lawrenz,Gozo,Malta |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°2′11.8″N14°11′13.3″E / 36.036611°N 14.187028°E /36.036611; 14.187028 |
| Type | Religious complex, possibly anymphaeum |
| History | |
| Material | Limestone |
| Founded | 3rd century BC |
| Abandoned | 4th century AD |
| Periods | Punic andRoman |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1964–1967 |
| Archaeologists | Missione Archaeologica Italiana a Malta |
| Condition | Dilapidated |
| Ownership | George Spiteri |
| Public access | Limited |
Ras il-Wardija is apromontory in the limits ofSan Lawrenz, on the southwest coast ofGozo,Malta. It contains the remains of aPunic-Roman sanctuary, which was excavated by Italian archaeologists in the 1960s. The area is privately owned and in a dilapidated state.[1]
Ras il-Wardija was probably first inhabited in theBronze Age, in around 1500 BC. Around the 3rd century BC,[2] during thePunic period, a religious complex (probably anymphaeum) was established in the area. Since the site is clearly visible from the sea, it might have also served as abeacon for ships travelling between theMaltese Islands andNorth Africa.[3]
The site remained in use throughout theRoman period. Carved crosses on the walls suggest that the site eventually became aChristian place of worship.[3] The site remained in use until around the 4th century AD.[2] A hermitage might have existed in the area during the medieval period.[4]
The main structural elements of the site are:
The masonry structure has some similarities to the remains of the Punic-Roman sanctuary atTas-Silġ inMarsaxlokk.[3]
The area around Ras il-Wardija was used for defensive purposes duringWorld War II.[3] The site was first excavated by the Missione Archaeologica Italiana a Malta (Archaeological Mission of Malta) between 1964 and 1967.[2] The temple was well preserved until the excavations, but it has since deteriorated.[5]
On 30 March 1988, it was discovered that an ancientgraffito carved on one of the walls of the sanctuary had been stolen. The graffito was recovered in June 2011, and it is now on display at theGozo Museum of Archaeology in theCittadella. The graffito shows a human figure with outstretched arms, in the shape of a cross. It has been suggested that the figure represents the Punic goddessTanit, but it might also be a medieval representation of aChristian cross.[3]
The land on which the sanctuary is located is privately owned by George Spiteri, and permission may be required in order to access the site.[5] It is listed on theNational Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[2]
Media related toRas il-Wardija at Wikimedia Commons
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^ Destroyed | ||
