Punic echinoderm remains excavated from Tas-Silg, Malta : report submitted to the Department of Archaeology, University of Malta

Abstract

The Tas-Silg Punic site is situated at an elevation of about 125 feet above sea level. This situation, together with the significant distance from the shore (circa 700 metres), makes it highly unlikely that marine animal remains excavated from the site represent shore wash. There are more likely to have been brought to the site by man. There is evidence to believe that since prehistoric and possibly classical times, the southeastern coast of Malta has gradually tilted towards the sea. The evidence for sinking during the classical period may be inferred by the presence of cart-ruts which cease suddenly at the edge of the water at Birzebbugia (St. George’s Bay) and cartruts which together with artificial caldrons occur beneath the water at Marsaxlokk. 1 This means that the Tas-Silg site was probably even higher above sea-level during the classical period than at present.

Echinoderm remains were excavated in plentiful amounts from the site. The amount of fragments obtained from the site further suggests that these represent intentional transportation to the site by the action of man. Accidental transportation is unlikely to have accounted for large quantities of this marine animal.