Conservation of the archaeological site of San Pawl Milqi : a comparative study of the external and internal environment

Abstract

The site of San Pawl Milqi in Burmarrad consists of a 17th century chapel connected with Publio-Pauline tradition, below and around which lie the remains of what has been discovered to be a Roman Villa dating back to the 2nd century B.C. The site, excavated in the 1960's, has been abandoned for the past 40 years and left to ruins; it is presently in a very bad state of conservation. Yet, the area of the villa below the chapel, enclosed within the chapel's foundations, seems to have survived better. The aim of this study is to analyse and compare the different environments by mapping and by environmental monitoring of three different environments. This would hopefully explain the phenomenon observed below the chapel. The objective of this chapter is also to outline the significance of environmental monitoring before any conservation measures are taken. The architect's role in designing appropriate shelters for archaeological sites is then taken into consideration. The issue of protective structures for the conservation of archaeological sites is a very contentious one. Many examples of such structures have proved to be more harmful than beneficial in protecting these sites, especially when these are constructed prior to a thorough analysis of the surrounding environment and climate. These studies enable one to identify the environmental needs of the site which in practice would be obtained through the architect's knowledge in environmental control especially regarding the choice of adequate materials and climatic based design. Finally, a concept design of a protective shelter for the site of San Pawl Milqi was proposed.