Ancient Amphora Discovered in St. Paul’s Bay: An Unexpected Underwater Find

A remarkable discovery was made in St. Paul’s Bay when a bather came across what was initially suspected to be an explosive device underwater. The Armed Forces of Malta’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit was promptly called in to safely extract the object from the seabed. However, upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be an ancient amphora, estimated to be around 2,000 years old.

According to the Cultural Heritage Act, any discovery of cultural artefacts, whether on land or underwater, must be reported within 24 hours to the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage. As the state authority responsible for safeguarding Malta and Gozo’s cultural heritage, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage was immediately notified and assumed responsibility for the amphora.

The amphora has since been transferred to the Superintendence’s conservation laboratory, where it is currently undergoing desalination. In the coming weeks, archaeologists and conservators will further study the artifact to learn more about its origin and significance.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Armed Forces of Malta for their swift action and cooperation, ensuring the preservation of our underwater cultural heritage.

If you have encountered or discovered an artefact, please report it to the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage by emailing [email protected] or calling 2395 0000.