Malta’s First Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit Is Launched

The new unit, operating within Heritage Malta, will be working towards safe-guarding the country’s underwater cultural heritage resource. Managed by Professor Timmy Gambin, the focus of the unit will be placed on an outreach programme and raising awareness amongst the general public.

Detail from the 3D model of the Phoenician shipwreck (c. 700 BC) found near Gozo in Malta. The 3D model was created by Kari Hyttinen as part of the University of Malta’s research on the site. The model can be accessed on Sketchfab under the Department of Classics and Archaeology – Malta‘s account.

Malta holds a long maritime history hiding on the surrounding seabed, with a representation ranging from a 2,700-year-old Phoenician shipwreck to aircrafts and shipwrecks from WWI and WWII. The new unit has now been tasked with selecting 10 sites that could be transformed into underwater museums for the general public to explore. The first 3 to 5 sites are expected to be open in 2020 and 2021. Divers will be able to book themselves onto tours through the Heritage Malta online booking system, once the heritage sites are opened. For those who do not dive there will be an option to experience the underwater sites through virtual reality displays.

All dive schools, boats and clubs will be required to register their details with Heritage Malta prior to gaining access to the sites. This is to ensure that the wreck sites remain protected and undisturbed. Additional spot checks will also be implemented on the underwater cultural heritage sites to monitor the impact the regular public visits will have on them.

This initiative is expected to increase the awareness for underwater cultural heritage in the central Mediterranean. It is also expected to boost the already thriving diving tourism and attract more cultural heritage enthusiasts from all over the world.

Sources

The original source for this article was posted by Heritage Malta on 14th March 2019.

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