208 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. — 1915. 



later period this dwelling was considerably altered, several of the 

 rooms were swept away, and the central part of the building turned 

 into one large courtyard with corridors on three sides. Two new 

 hypocausts were inserted and extra rooms and a long corridor or 

 verandah built at the back. Water was supplied to the houses by a 

 water-main at the side of the road. By shutting sluice-gates 

 it was possible to divert the water into side-channels, which ran 

 through the houses flushing their drains, and discharged at the back 

 into the river. Eleven wells were found during the excavations, vary- 

 ing from 10 feet to 12 feet deep and stone-lined. 



A number of crucibles and some unfinished bronze castings, &c., 

 have been met with, showing that metal- working was carried on on the 

 site. There was also evidence of other industrial processes, such as 

 enamelling and working in bone. A very large number of small objects 

 have -been discovered during the excavations, such as cameos, en- 

 graved gems — some still set in finger-rings — many brooches of different 

 metals, enamelled ornaments, and a quantity of interesting articles in 

 different metals, bone, glass, &c. 



The great quantity of pottery found may be judged by the fact 

 that upwards of 900 potters' stamps on Samian ware have been 

 recorded. The coins number between 1,200 and 1,300, among them 

 being a few British varieties. No coins later than the end of the fourth 

 century have as yet been met with, and the town does not appear 

 to have been inhabited after that date. What was the cause of its 

 destruction or desertion is as yet uncertain, but it is hoped that future 

 excavations will solve the problem. 



Detailed accounts of the excavations are printed in Eeports of the 

 Eesearch Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London, Nos. 1, 

 2, and 4. 



ArchcBological Investigations in Malta. — Report of the Com,' 

 mittee, consisting of Professor J. L. Myres (Chairman), Dr. 

 T. AsHBY (Secretary), Mr. H. Balfour, Dr. A. C. Haddon, 

 and Dr. E. E. Marett. 



DuBiNQ the year excavations have been carried out by Dr. Ashby in the 

 ruins at Xrobb il Ghargin, and by Dr. G. Despott at Tal Herba and the 

 Burmeghez Fissures. Eeports on these excavations are appended. 

 The whole of the grant has been expended on this work. The Com- 

 mittee ask to be reappointed with a further grant of 10/. for the purpose 

 of carrying on the investigation of other important sites in the island. 



I. 



Xrobb il Ghargin. By Dr. T. Ashby. 



The ruins of Xrobb il Ghargin are as beautifully situated as any in 

 Malta. The building which they represent was undoubtedly a temple 

 or sacred edifice of the eneolithic period, and its site is an exceptional 

 one, on the edge of the cliffs near the extreme S.E. point of the island. 



