Evaluation of the behavior of the shelters of the Megalithic Temples of Malta in order to understand the effects of the shelters on the erosion of salt on the stone
This research aims to study and evaluate the effects of shelters built up over Malta's Megalithic Temples. This purpose will be achieved through the integration of numerical models (CFDs) and collected data and information about the deterioration forms and patterns found on site.
The study is therefore divided into two different and complementary parts:
The first part intends to gather information on possible deterioration rates at the Prehistoric Temples of Malta by studying the effects of salt weathering on stone, and its modelling, to define precisely how the salts present within the Globigerina Limestone megaliths are bringing about their deterioration. This part will take of consideration a large number of existing studies on Globigerina Limestone and its deterioration as well as differents data collected over the years at the maltese archaeological sites, both before and after the sheltering of the areas.In relation to this research new data is also being collected considering the most importants parameters that are involved in the deterioration of the stone, in order to use them to simulate and predict the degradation process of the megaliths.
The second part intends to understand how the climate has changed in the Temples sites since the erection of the shelters by using continuous environmental monitoring of the site that will be rendered in a numerical model containing both past and present data. This part is also based on a vast array of environmental data collected at the sites over the years, which monitoring is still continuing. In collaboration withHeritage Malta.
