https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/141309 2026-05-07T13:40:34Z 2026-05-07T13:40:34Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146105 2026-05-04T11:56:03Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Continuity and change : the curation, modification and reuse of the 15th-century choir stalls in St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina, Malta (1625 – 1725) Abstract: This dissertation investigates the curation, modification, and reuse of the 15th-century choir stalls at St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina, between 1625 and 1725. The choir was originally completed in 1490 and dismantled in 1876. Less than 10% of the original material of the fragmented stalls survives today, posing significant challenges to scholarly interpretation. Employing an interdisciplinary framework that integrates archival research, material analysis, and visual observation, this study reconstructs the evolution and treatment of the choir during the century under study which was a critical period in the life-history of this artefact. The research establishes the stalls’ completion date. A hypothesis is presented for their initial configuration, and key modifications are identified, including a previously undocumented relocation in 1626 and the addition of kneelers in 1682. Decorative interventions, such as the replacement of inlaid frames in the late 17th century and the introduction of gilding in the early 18th century, are also analysed. It is argued that the findings reflect evolving liturgical, aesthetic, and functional priorities. These transformations align with broader Counter-Reformation objectives. They also reveal sustained and deliberate efforts to integrate artefacts from the old Cathedral into the newly reconstructed structure, illustrating a nuanced balance between continuity and innovation. By exploring how successive curation decisions were shaped by the cultural, liturgical, and historical significance of the stalls, this study enriches the discourse on heritage preservation, presenting it as a dynamic negotiation of tangible and intangible values. Despite challenges posed by the stalls’ fragmented state and limited primary sources, this research underscores the efficacy of interdisciplinary approaches in reconstructing fragmented heritage. It recognises the choir stalls as enduring witnesses to Malta’s ecclesiastical and artistic evolution, offering a robust framework for future inquiry into their cultural, political, and religious contexts. Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/141994 2025-12-05T10:39:20Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Autistic involvement in enhancing accessibility in archaeological sites Abstract: In recent years, several heritage sites from museums to archaeological sites have begun to implement accessible measures to make them more accessible to disabled people, in line with legislation and international conventions. However, the people that are meant to directly benefit from accessible measures are not often consulted on the design and implementation. The scope of the present study is to investigate what accessibility in archaeological sites would look like from the autistic perspective. A qualitative approach was used to carry out this research. The researcher recruited autistic participants and walked with them around two archaeological sites to assess the features, aspects and experience that are accessible to them as autistic individuals in an unstructured interview. The sites chosen were Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park and Għar Dalam. The participants identified several barriers that prevented them from enjoying their experience while walking around the sites. Ħaġar Qim had more barriers than Għar Dalam according to the participants’ responses. These responses were then analysed using thematic analysis. The issues raised included direction and wayfinding, the sensory environment, the participants’ willingness to engage with the site, the shortcomings of accessibility for other people with disabilities as well as recommendations to improve the accessibility at both sites. Each theme is discussed within the context of each site. This research demonstrated the potential for including autistic voices in the discourse of accessibility to cultural heritage. The participants have also suggested solutions to improve accessibility to archaeological sites not just for them but for other disabled people who can benefit from accessible measures, such as reducing noise levels, inputting more tactile and interactive exhibits to explore, better signage and wayfinding, and providing more information that can be easily accessible before visiting the site. Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z