Sheltering archaeological sites in Malta: lessons learnt

Protective shelters installed over three megalithic temple sites in Malta have demonstrated both beneficial and transitional effects on structural stability. The study found that while shelters mitigate environmental threats such as wetting-drying cycles, thermal fluctuations, and salt corrosion—key factors in the deterioration of these ancient structures—their long-term impact requires sustained monitoring to distinguish between immediate benefits and enduring trends. Lessons learned emphasize the necessity for site-specific strategies, careful selection of monitored parameters, and adaptive management frameworks. The research highlights that shelters alone are insufficient without a comprehensive conservation strategy, advocating for performance indicators tailored to individual sites.

Cassar, J., Cefai, S., Grima, R., & Stroud, K. (2018). Sheltering archaeological sites in Malta: lessons learnt. Heritage Science, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-018-0201-6