Parliamentary Petition Launched to Protect Prehistoric Archaeological
Landscape as Construction Advances Through Protected Zone
Xagħra, Gozo, Malta – August 22, 2025 – Archaeologists and heritage activists have launched an
urgent parliamentary petition to save the Santa Verna Temple archaeological landscape in Xagħra,
Gozo, as nearby construction threatens one of Malta’s most significant prehistoric sites. The 7,000-
year-old temple complex faces immediate destruction from approved development including 18
houses, swimming pools, and two roads, with one road already cutting directly through the
temple’s protective buffer zone.
Critical Heritage at Risk
The Santa Verna Temple, dating to approximately 5000 BC, represents one of Malta’s earliest temple
structures and forms part of the island’s UNESCO World Heritage prehistoric temple complex.
Recent archaeological discoveries at the site include:
- Neolithic burial pits containing children’s remains with significant potential for ancient DNA
- analysis
- Intact prehistoric stratigraphy documenting thousands of years of human occupation
- Cave systems and burial chambers connected to the broader Xagħra archaeological
- landscape
- Artifacts and environmental evidence crucial for understanding Malta’s earliest civilizations
The threatened landscape encompasses not only Santa Verna but connects to other major
archaeological sites including the Xagħra Circle and the world-famous Ġgantija Temple complex.
Immediate Development Threats
Despite the site’s archaeological significance, construction has proceeded with:
- 18 residential properties approved for construction in the immediate vicinity
- Swimming pools and infrastructure planned within the sensitive archaeological zone
- Two access roads with one already cutting through the temple’s protective buffer
- Ongoing excavation work proceeding without adequate independent archaeological
monitoring
“We are witnessing the systematic destruction of irreplaceable archaeological evidence,” said Ian (
Janus777), heritage campaigner and member of malta-arch.com. “Recent discoveries of Neolithic burial pits with children’s remains demonstrate the incredible scientific potential being lost forever
to development.”
Petition Demands
The parliamentary petition (parlament.mt/en/petition?id=292) calls for:
- Emergency Conservation Order to halt all construction within the archaeological landscape
- Expanded buffer zone encompassing the entire Xagħra archaeological landscape
- Independent archaeological monitoring of all permitted works
- Public archaeological study to document and preserve remaining evidence
- Protection of environmental and historical context including ancient DNA preservation
protocols
Growing Support and Public Action
The petition has gathered over 500 signatures and continues to grow as awareness spreads. A
public “Archaeology Awareness Walk” is scheduled for August 23, 2025, to highlight the
threatened landscape and build support for protection measures.
International Significance
Malta’s prehistoric temples represent some of the world’s oldest free-standing stone structures,
predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The potential loss of Santa Verna and its
archaeological context represents an irreversible loss to global heritage understanding.
“This isn’t just about Malta,” explains the campaign. “These sites hold keys to understanding early
European civilization, agricultural development, and prehistoric society. Once destroyed by
development, this evidence is lost forever.”
Official Response
While the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage maintains that permitted works are properly
supervised, heritage advocates argue that current protections are inadequate for preserving the
site’s full archaeological potential and scientific value.
Campaign Website with plans and more information: www.malta-arch.com/santa-verna.html
Parliamentary Petition: parlament.mt/en/petition?id=292
Times of Malta coverage: Petition launched to save Santa Verna temple landscape
