ON ARCH^O LOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN MALTA. 123 



Archceological 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. Maeett. 



This year's work has consisted of excavations at Ghar Dalam, 

 commenced in the summer of 1918, and still in progress. 

 The grant of lOL was spent in the exploration of that part of the cave 

 floor separating the Trench described in the Report of the British 

 Association of 1916, and Trench No. II, described in the Eeport pub- 

 Hshed in the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of 1917. 



The layers in this part did not, of course, differ much from those 

 described in the above-mentioned reports. Potsherds occun-ed in 

 equal quantity, and belonged to various epochs, some being of a very 

 fine pattern, a few implements were also met with, and animal bones 

 were, as usual, found in great profusion. The most important fact, 

 however, in tliis part of the cave floor is the occurrence of some 

 human remains at a lower level than that in which the Neanderthaloid 

 molars were found in 1917. This particular grant was exhausted by 

 September 4, but the work continued, and was carried on for the 

 greater part of the year, with only an interruption of about three months, 

 the average number of men employed being six. 



This work consisted in the digging of three trenches, which will 

 be fully described in a report when the work is complete, and this will 

 probably be in about two months more. 



Trench I extends from the outer wall of Trench No. II of 1917 to 

 an old inibble wall towards the entrance. It is about 30 feet long, having 

 an average width of 2-5 feet. In this trench potsherds were found 

 in profusion and belonged to various epochs. Animal bones were also 

 found in the greatest abundance, and evidence of man's work has been 

 traced to a rather low level. 



Trench II is still nearer to the entrance of the cavern, extending 

 from the above-mentioned rubble wall to Trench No. I of 1917. In 

 both length and width this trench is practically equal to Trench I. 

 As a considerable difference has been observed in the layers at various 

 parts, two columns of material, about four feet in diameter, have been 

 left standing for future reference, which, together with that part of 

 the cave floor which has been left dividing the present trenches, will 

 preserve for the cave an interest even when it is totally explored. In 

 Trench II potsherds were not so common as in Trench I, but animal 

 remains were found in equal abundance. Amongst the important finds 

 in this trench are several specimens and many fragments of a marine 

 shell belonging to a species which is at present very rare in Maltese 

 waters, not to say extinct. 



Trench III is s<:ill being excavated. It is situated further inside of 

 Trench I, and is about 18 or 20 feet in length, and lesser in width than 

 Trenches I and II. Here are to be seen some groups of stalagmites of 

 various sizes, one of them being nearly equal to that described in my 

 report of 1916. A coating of stalagmitic formation has preserved in 

 this trench many of the animal remains in their anatomical position. 



