Conservation in Malta : a socio-political study

Abstract

Malta is a small island situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with an approximate area of320 square kilometers (125 square miles). Its strategic position is the reason for its very rich and varied culture. The influence of this diverse cultural influence is very evident in the built environment and the Maltese language. As the research for this thesis progressed, it became evident that the strands which influenced Maltese society's perception of its past, were: Colonialism, lslandness and issues of Memory and Place. These strands will help to explain how the socio political situation in Malta also influenced society's perception and memory of its past. This in tum will help explain the development of conservation in Malta. Three different scenarios were chosen to help investigate the development of conservation in Malta: Ħagar Qim and Mnajdra, St John's co-Cathedral and Valletta in the post war period. The political climate in the three case studies is different and it is important to understand the different mechanics that indicate how the management of the interventions occurred across the different sites. The archaeological sites of Ħagar Qim and Mnajdra offer a clear example of how Colonialism and Islandness are able to influence the perception of the true value of these sites. The situation of St John's co-Cathedral presents the issue of ·an island within an island' and this thesis explores how this state influences the value attributed to heritage. It also promotes the importance of ownership in relation to the preservation and management of cultural heritage. The ownership of St John's co-Cathedral is still unclear and this creates a problem of management. The final case study focuses on Valletta, allowing an investigation of conservation in the post war period. This is an evident example of how society's allocation of value in terms of cultural heritage is not solely dependent on artistic and historic value, but indicates how associations and intangible values play a major role in the final decision making process.