https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/53757 2026-06-25T09:30:03Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/53830 Title: The Punic inscriptions Authors: Frendo, Anthony J.; Mizzi, Dennis Abstract: This chapter presents a report on the Punic inscriptions retrieved from the site at Tas-Silg during the excavations conducted by the Department of Classics and Archaeology of the Universiry of Malta between 1996 and 2005. Our aim is primarily to present the data in as clear and precise a manner as possible and in such a way that readers will be able to draw their own conclusions. Consequently, we shall engage in a discussion with previous interpretations that have been brought forth by other scholars only when this is absolutely necessary. It is clear that we intend to pursue further studies on these inscriptions at a later stage in other venues. This does not mean that we shall not give our own interpretation of the evidence, but we want to make it clear that such an interpretation could be challenged by other readers. The structure of our report is as follows: 1) Discussion of various methodological issues; 2) Presentation of the data; 3) Interpretation of the data; 4) Concluding remarks. The word 'inscriptions' in our tide might be considered as inappropriate since the bulk of our data consists of isolated Punic letters, which are generally incised on potsherds. Nevertheless, in this report, we shall still be using this term - albeit in its wider sense - as a general term as it incorporates any type of incised or carved writing, regardless of its length. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/53828 Title: The pottery Authors: Sagona, Claudia Abstract: Tas-Silg is an impressive site that was clearly in use from deep in prehistory to post Roman times. Here the prehistoric story begins with the Ggantija Period, as probably no more than a fleeting presence. While there are pockets of prehistoric deposits left in situ in the southern sector of the site, the extensive building works carried out by Phoenician and Punic people remain the dominant feature. Pottery in foundation trenches functioning as fill and the general accumulation of materials at the site often has a range of wares caught up in the mix. Of all of the possible ware types that had to be evaluated, it was the prehistoric material - especially the numerous amorphous body fragments - that posed the most challenge. In the past, the comparative collections readily available to researchers were few. The tantalising pottery displays in the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, and that in The Gozo Museum of Archaeology, Victoria, present only the broadest of brush strokes for the prehistory of the islands. Outside of these institutions, there is little to be seen in the small museums and virtually none can be found in the private collections of the islands. A basic aim here is to present the pottery from the Tas-Silg site through a definition of its various ware types instead of merely grouping all wares together and treating them as one under a heading denoting period alone. As the project unfolded, it became obvious that some clear and detailed ceramic distinctions could be made. Even so, it is one thing to define the nature of wares at any given site, but another to cross-reference them satisfactorily from project to project. This comparative process is complicated by nomenclature, which is hardly uniform. To realise, for instance, that Blagg's Fabric B from the Roman Medieval site of Hal Millieri is one and the same as the cooking ware from Tas-Silg that we call Red Bricky. Description: Includes chapters for Abbreviations, Lists of Figures and Tables & Acknowledgements 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z