https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6023 2026-04-10T05:28:54Z 2026-04-10T05:28:54Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6814 2019-06-11T08:04:11Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Characterising and classifying archaeological plasters and mortars from Malta Abstract: This dissertation aims at providing information on the make-up of local archaeological plasters and mortars based on two case studies, namely the Żejtun and San Pawl Milqi Roman villa sites where significant plaster, mortar and floors are preserved. The study reviews ancient and modern literature that discusses ancient plaster and mortar. Against this review, a method was chosen for the analysis and characterisation of plasters and mortars with the aim of knowing their structure and composition. This was accomplished through a series of techniques, including macroscopic and microscopic examination, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, powder X-Ray Diffraction and thin sections. This study shows that there are similarities between what was produced locally and what ancient sources say about the materials and ratios that can be used to produce different mixes for plasters and mortars. Identification of fillers in wall plasters and mortars from Żejtun, brought to light the use of local materials. It has also been established that there is a correlation between the type of plaster and mortar and primary archaeological context. Description: M.A.ARCHAEOLOGY

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6813 2019-06-11T08:03:36Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Conflict archaeology in the landscape : a survey of world war II defences at Selmun, Malta Abstract: This dissertation focuses on defences in the area of Selmun, analyses them from a landscape perspective, and uses GIS to aid this. The fort present at Selmun, Fort Campbell, was also included in this research. The location of the defences shows that the choice of placement was not haphazard and arbitrary but based on the topography of the landscape. The landscape plays an important role in how defences are sited and oriented, in order to effectively defend areas. Areas that were deemed to be vulnerable to landing forces were covered by more than one defensive structure and these were also constructed at the weak points themselves, creating a ‘defensive crust’ or stop-line. Because of this, a landscape archaeology approach was adopted in order to understand how the landscape influenced the placement of the defences. The structures built at Fort Campbell indicate that the site was chosen for its height, allowing a wide field of view to direct the coastal guns. Furthermore, the efforts at deception can be clearly seen with defensive structures constructed with camouflage and are low-lying while ancillary buildings mimic rural farmhouses. Furthermore, the thesis provided the opportunity to present the development of Conflict Archaeology. Conflict Archaeology is the archaeological investigation of conflict throughout human history, and is an umbrella term used for a variety of topics that are related to conflict. The advances made by this sub-discipline have cemented it and is being accepted by archaeologists around the world. Furthermore, another sub-discipline is also gaining momentum, Modern Conflict Archaeology, which focuses solely on 20th century conflicts. With the ever-diminishing veterans and survivors, the Second World War is being studied from an archaeological perspective, unveiling more information on this conflict. The thesis shows the potential that exists for these sub-disciplines in Malta and what can be gained from an investigation on Second World War defences. Description: M.A.ARCHAEOLOGY

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6033 2015-11-03T08:17:44Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: How to gauge sea threat fluctuations through the archaeological record? Abstract: This research assesses the nature and frequency of piratical activities within the geographical boundaries of the Mediterranean Sea and how this is reflected in the literature – both ancient and recent. Furthermore, it also focuses on gauging piratical attacks through the archaeological record during the period of 218 BC and after the eradication of pirates from the Mediterranean Sea. Importance is given to the Maltese Islands and Sicily and how these islands became part of the Roman Empire. The theme of piracy is analysed and attempts are made to understand the motives and characteristics of piratical activities within the Mediterranean, the effects that these activities had on the various powers, and the measure these powers took against piracy. Moreover, the rise to power of the Romans is also examined in order to understand the means through which they achieved naval supremacy and were in turn able to campaign for the eradication of piracy within the Mediterranean basin. In addition, the expeditions against pirates, their outcomes as well as their effects are discussed. Lastly, attention is given to several archaeological sites in Sicily and the Maltese Islands in order to determine to what extent these sites were affected by the presence of pirates in the Mediterranean. Description: B.A.(HONS)ARCHAEOLOGY

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6032 2024-05-09T13:41:16Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Understanding bone disarticulation within a prehistoric cultural context : a reinvestigation of a Tarxien phase burial pit from the Xagħra Circle, Gozo, Malta Abstract: The study of disarticulated bone, both in Malta and overseas, is a field of archaeological research which is still in its infancy but major developments have been made over the past few years in this field. The excavation of the Xagħra Circle was a major development for Maltese archaeology and produced a great amount of material and data which is of great importance to the understanding of prehistoric mortuary practices. This study focuses on one burial pit located beside the threshold which gives access to the main hypogeum. This pit contained a single articulation buried beneath a significant amount of disarticulated, fragmented and commingled human bone as well as an amount of animal bone and a few fragmented artefacts. This reinvestigation of the pit aims at extracting more data from this material to aid a better understanding of the mortuary practices of this prehistoric society. A selection of human bone fragments from the entire assemblage excavated from the pit was utilised in this study. These fragments were studied and documented with the aim of gathering more data and inferring whether any of these fragments joined together to form part of a single bone. Any joins discovered would potentially inform us about the formation of the stratigraphy within the pit. No joins could be identified, possibly due to the deteriorated condition of the bone fragments but, nevertheless, inferences about the pit could still be made through the consideration of the whole human bone assemblage, artefacts, stratigraphy, and other data from the pit. A comparative study of many of these data with various studies, on local contexts as well as foreign ones, revealed further information about the possible mortuary practices of the prehistoric society responsible for the creation and usage of the Xagħra Circle hypogeum. Description: B.A.(HONS)ARCHAEOLOGY

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z