Shelters for Mnajdra and Hagar Qim megalithic temples: ‘Buying time while altern
The protective structures that will be erected over two of Malta’s megalithic temples, Mnajdra and Hagar Qim, are good for 25 to 30 years and will be a “means of buying time while alternatives are developed”, Reuben Grima, senior curator of World Heritage Sites said yesterday.
Dr Grima was speaking during a seminar marking this year’s edition of International Day on Monuments and Sites (18 April), with the theme “Cultural Landscapes and Monuments of Nature”.
While tents may not be a very attractive option from an archaeologist’s point of view, it must be acknowledged that the shelters are an “interim measure” until experts study the situation and identify solutions for the best possible restoration and conservation of the temples, said Dr Grima.
He added that a draft management plan, complemented by a conservation plan for all the megalithic temples will be delivered later this year.
In parallel, key actions are also being instigated for the country’s six temples, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list – Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, Ggantija, Tarxien, Ta’ Skorba and Ta’ Hagrat.
Dr Grima explained that Hagar Qim and Mnajdra have been exposed to the elements since they were excavated in 1839 and 1840 respectively. Since then, the elements have taken their toll causing extensive loss of materials, which in turn poses a threat to the structures themselves.
He mentioned that when the temples in Malta were inscribed as World Heritage Sites in 1980, it was primarily for their architectural value. Therefore, this is what should be given the most importance even though the surrounding landscape and the way the temples blend into it is also an important aspect for many people.
When studying what type of sheltering was needed to protect the temples, Dr Grima explained that a greenhouse-like structure similar to the one at Villa Romana del Casale outside the Italian town of Piazza Armerina, was unsuitable. In fact, the fabric tents will be anchored in such a manner that air will flow in from all sides.
Conservation scientist JoAnn Cassar also insisted that when trying to identify a design for the protective shelters with the least possible negative impact, they wanted to avoid mistakes made on other such shelters worldwide.
“We based the specifications for the design on our experience of other countries with similar geographical and climatic conditions and opted for an open-sided centre.
“We could have also considered using air-conditioning to minimise the heating effect on the stone, but introducing such technologies would only make the conservation process more complex,” said Dr Cassar.
The seminar was organised by the national committee of the International Organisation on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), in collaboration with Heritage Malta and the University of Malta’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design.
Other participants included ICOMOS Malta chairperson Ray Bondin, World Heritage Sites senior curator Katya Stroud, conservationist Mario Galea and structural engineer Alex Torpiano.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=49473
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