The Punic inscriptions from the current Maltese excavations at Tas-Silg : a study of the inscriptions on pottery from Areas B and C

Abstract

The multi-period site of Tas-Silg has undoubtedly gained most renown for its Phoenician Punic temple. A fortified coastal sanctuary according to Ciasca, this temple was built on top of a hillock overlooking Marsaxlokk bay, with a commanding view of the ancient harbour area. The extensive excavations conducted by a team of Italian archaeologists from 1963 to 1970 yielded numerous dedications to Astarte (who had been identified by the Romans as Juno) proving that this was the site of the celebrated temple the importance of which was attested in antiquity by Cicero and Ptolemy. The University of Malta opened a new dig in 1996, again yielding numerous inscriptions that are of enormous import for the history of Phoenician and Punic Malta.