Introduction to Maltese pre-history

The mission of Heritage Malta is to ensure that those elements of cultural heritage entrusted to it are protected and made accessible to the public. The agency also operates a conservation division for the training of conservators and conservation scientists.

Heritage Malta is the national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. Created by the Cultural Heritage Act which was enacted in 2002, the national agency replaced the former Museums Department.

Initially Heritage Malta was entrusted with the management of museums, sites and their collections. However in 2005, the agency’s responsibilities increased when it took over the former Malta Centre for Restoration to become the national agency responsible for conservation.

Heritage Malta seeks to provide its various audiences with an enhanced experience during visits to the various sites and museums. Cultural heritage can act as a catalyst for Malta’s tourism potential and consequently contribute significantly to the economy.

The agency has a specific educational section with special educational programmes targeting children of different age groups as part of organised school visits. These programmes are based on the local educational curriculum and address specific areas of study in an edutainment approach.

Heritage Malta is also committed to bring culture closer to the people through facilitating interpretation and accessibility, both physical and intellectual. Whether through temporary exhibitions, public lectures, heritage trails or other specialised events, the agency ensures that it lives up to the motto of ensuring a future to our past.

Katya Stroud studied archaeology at the University of Malta graduating with a Masters degree in 2004. Her studies focused on the history of conservation and management of archaeological sites, particularly the Maltese Megalithic Temples.

Between 2000 and 2004 she worked as a freelance archaeologist as part of Archaeology Services Co-operative Ltd. participating in rescue excavations, environmental impact assessments and the design of various projects for archaeological sites in collaboration with both private and public entities. 

She has been employed with Heritage Malta since 2004 and is currently Senior Curator of the Prehistoric Sites Department. She is particularly interested in the study of the history of conservation and management of archaeological sites as well as popular interpretations and changing perceptions of archaeological sites.

Maria Elena Zammit is Principal Curator, Prehistoric Sites (Heritage Malta) with curatorial responsibility for the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Ta' Ħaġrat and Skorba. She plays an active role in the management of World Heritage properties with tasks ranging from developing interpretation facilities to drafting and implementing management plans, lecturing, and studying and mitigating impacts to archaeological sites and their context. 

She studied archaeology at the University of Malta and conducted an archaeological survey of Il-Qlejgħa tal-Baħrija Bronze Age Site as part of her Masters degree. Research interests include excavation methodology, site-formation processes, Maltese prehistory, the Maltese prehistoric ceramic sequence, world heritage and cultural heritage management.