Neolithic mass burial site discovered in Xagħra
A prehistoric mass grave containing human remains and pottery shards has been discovered on a proposed development site in Xagħra.
The find, dating back to the neolithic period, was a result of archaeological monitoring by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) in Gozo.
It is just 53 metres away from the Xagħra Stone Circle, a neo-lithic mass grave, with features that indicated it may have been used as an extension to the known burial site.
Discovered only recently, the site has been scheduled under Class A, the highest level of protection, by the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage.
Archaeologist and osteologist Bernardette Mercieca Spiteri told Times of Malta the find may reveal new insights into the prehistoric communities in Xagħra.
“The beautiful thing about Xagħra is that we find parallels of continuing communities and patterns that we recognise today,” Mercieca Spiteri said.
“We see burials of families, babies and even people who lived well into their old age. We also see evidence of people who had conditions that needed help from others to live.
“The Xagħra community has no evidence of violence or war, but we see examples of fractures that needed time to heal,...