Presentation of archeological photographs and Malta War Relief Fund papers to the University Library The University of Malta Library will shortly be presented with a collection of photographic prints belonging to the late Mr Harris Dunscombe Colt Jr. (1901-1973), one time Council member of the British School of Archeology in Jerusalem and active collaborator in several archeological campaigns with, among others, Sir Flinders Petrie, Margaret Murray, Sir Themistocles Zammit and Lewis Upton Way. The collection comprises 264 prints and negatives taken by Harris Dunscombe Colt in Malta and which have a bearing on the archeological activity of Sir Themistocles Zammit during the inter-war years (1925-1934). This photographic archive covers sites such as Ta' Hagrat, Abatija tad-Dejr, and the Roman area outside Mdina, and is of immense value primarily because it complements Temi Zammit's fieldwork and publications with a visual record. The photographs also provide the kind of evidence that is so precious to conservators and archeologists wishing to study sites long covered over or destroyed.

In 1992, the Harris Dunscombe Colt collection was donated to the Palestine Exploration Fund in London by the archeologist's second wife. It has now been transferred to the University Library through the initiative and efforts of Dr Anthony J. Frendo and Dr Nicholas C. Vella from the University's Departments of Arabic & Near Eastern Studies and Classics and Archeology respectively.

The Colts' relatives, Mr and Mrs H. Strickland Colt are also passing on to the University Library papers, correspondence and press clippings covering the activities of the Malta War Relief Fund, so ably and tirelessly managed in the U.S.A. by the late Teresa Strickland Colt in the 1940s. Practically nothing has hitherto ever been published about this very important relief venture, and the papers will constitute an important primary source in this regard.

The presentation which is to take place on Friday 6th April 2001 at 11.00am (First Floor, Library) will be presided by University Rector, Professor Roger Ellul-Micallef. An exhibition of salient items from this bequest will be mounted and will include material reflecting Sir Themistocles Zammit (1864-1935) multi-faceted contribution to the nation.  The exhibition will be open Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6.45pm and Saturdays 9am to Noon.

29 March 2001