Tower Wreck

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Tower Wreck

Xlendi bay, a small fishing harbour on the south-western coast of Gozo, has been a hotspot for underwater archaeological discoveries since the late 1950s. Various underwater projects in the 1960s and 1970s focused on the recovery of archaeological objects from the seabed. Recovered objects include amphorae and lead anchor stocks from depths up to 60 m. In 1993, a deep-water submarine survey outside Xlendi bay detected a dense scatter of amphorae at a depth of 105 m. Due to its proximity to the 17th century Xlendi coastal watch tower, this deep-water site is now known as the Tower Wreck.

In ancient times the harbour of Xlendi bay would have been larger and more protected than the present-day bay and would have been a hub of commercial activity, connecting to various hubs around the central Mediterranean. The archaeological potential of the bay has been known since the 1960s when various foreign-led projects recorded and recovered numerous cultural objects, most of which are now on display at the Gozo Museum of Archaeology. Remote sensing surveys carried out between 2006 and 2008 sought to, firstly, relocate the deep-water site discovered in 1993 and, secondly, to gain a deeper understanding of the archaeological potential of the area. The extent of the site was recorded and was found to consist of a dense scatter of objects over an area measuring approximately 67,000 m². The depth ranges between 105 and 115 metres, and the seabed consists of a fine silt/sand punctuated by a series of rocky outcrops that measure approximately 1 metre in height and between 3 m to 20m in length. It is around these rocky outcrops that the dense concentrations of archaeological material can be noted. It is also highly likely that archaeological remains are buried in the sediment, based on the continuous deposition of sediment from Xlendi valley and the presence of partially buried objects. Preliminary investigations date the objects to Malta’s Punic period – the 3rd century BC. Whether the site is comprised of one shipwreck or several, or even none, is currently being investigated by Heritage Malta, which launched an ambitious multi-year project to document the Tower Wreck site in 2021. The site is being documented using a process known as photogrammetry, where photos and videos are used to create a virtual 3D record with millimetric accuracy. The site is also being preserved in situ, meaning that excavation is not intended, and in 2023 sections of the site will be made accessible to technical divers. Those members of the public that do not dive are able to virtually explore this unique site here on the virtual museum. All this forms part of the ultimate objective, the transformation of the Tower Wreck site into the world’s first deep-water archaeological park – the Xlendi Underwater Archaeological Park, and is sponsored by the Malta Airport Foundation. 

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The Wreck.

The Park consists of a mixed cargo datable to the 3rd century BC and is located at a depth of 105m close to the tower built to guard the entrance to Xlendi bay. The seabed is composed of a fine sandy and silty seabed interspersed with rocky outcrops and dense scatters of archaeological material. Although the deposit consists mainly of amphorae, there are also bowls, urns, and jugs. The rocky outcrops are extinct coral reefs, and the densest concentrations of archaeological material can be found around these reefs. This combination of natural and cultural heritage is an integral part of why the park has been set up. The precise reason for such a dense concentration of material is not yet known, however an ongoing Heritage Malta project aims to answer this fundamental question. 

Play Video about Several broken amphora visible on the seabed

Rocky Outcrop

These extinct coral reefs range in size between 3m and 20m and rise to about 1 metre off the seabed. It is around these rocky outcrops that the dense concentrations of archaeological material can be noted, possibly because they act as catchment areas on an otherwise sterile seabed.

Maltese Punic Amphora

From the 5th century BC onwards, the Maltese Islands produced typical Phoenician-Punic ovoid amphorae. This particular amphora is of a local Maltese type, identified as Sagona’s IV-V:1. It is characterised by an ovoid body, a slightly protruding rim and looped handles attached to the body. The production of these amphorae continued into the Roman period as attested by finds from as local funerary contexts.
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Flat-bottomed Amphora

This is a flat-bottomed amphora identified as a Sagona III-IV:3. The surface would have been characterised by a cream-slip and thin, red-painted lines on the body. Whilst the paint does not survive in an underwater context, the characteristic shape of the vessel is clearly discernible. The proposed date range for this type is 410-300 BC. The contents of these amphorae are undetermined.
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Flat-bottomed Amphora

This amphora is identified as Sagona’s III-IV:4a. It is characterised by a flat-bottom, everted rim, and distinctive neck. The surface of the amphora is characterised by a cream-slip and thick, red-painted lines on the rim, body and base, its most distinctive feature. Whilst the paint does not survive in an underwater context, the characteristic shape of the vessel is clearly discernible. The date range is between 410 and 300 BC, also appearing in contexts that date to the mid-2nd and 1st century BC. It has been found at other Punic sites such as Mozia in Sicily.
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Several ceramic objects close to a rocky outcrop
Rocky Outcrop

These extinct coral reefs range in size between 3m and 20m and rise to about 1 metre off the seabed. 

Read More
Flat-bottomed Amphora

This amphora is identified as Sagona’s III-IV:4a. It is characterised by a flat-bottom, everted rim, and distinctive neck.

Read More
Flat-bottomed Amphora

This is a flat-bottomed amphora identified as a Sagona III-IV:3.  The surface would have been characterised by a cream-slip and thin, red-painted lines on the body.

Read More
Maltese Punic Amphora

From the 5th century BC onwards, the Maltese Islands produced typical Phoenician-Punic ovoid amphorae. This particular amphora is of a local Maltese type, identified as Sagona’s IV-V:1.

Read More
Several ceramic objects close to a rocky outcrop
Rocky Outcrop

These extinct coral reefs range in size between 3m and 20m and rise to about 1 metre off the seabed. 

Read More
Diver capturing the site in 3D using a camera mounted on an underwater scooter.
Scales

Prior to data capture, markers and scale bars are placed on the seabed within the area to be recorded. These aid in image alignment in the processing software and provide scaling.