Tal-Mintna Catacombs
Encyclopedia
The Tal-Mintna Catacombs are a hypogea complex
in Mqabba
, Malta
. The complex dates to at least to the fourth century AD.
The site is managed by Heritage Malta
and closed to the public for conservation.
Structure and features=
The site comprises three aligned hypogea dug side-by-side, originally accessed via separate stepped shafts but subsequently joined with narrow passages. Although each hypogeum is unique in its internal plan and arrangement, all the hypogea have in common a serious of interconnecting galleries and numerous window tombs.
Although small compared to other catacombs like St. Paul’s
in Rabat
, the catacombs of Tal-Mintna are highly esteemed for their many interesting features. Window tombs are decorated with elaborately carved scallop-shells and embellished with decorated pilasters. The wall of one small hypogeum features an altar flanked by large pillars carved in relief, on one of which is engraved with illustrations often interpreted to be a face and a kind of palette.
Although it is unfinished, the central hypogeum also offers one of the best preserved examples of a triclinium
(agape table
) to be found in the late-Roman burials of Malta. The table is uniquely equipped with set of eight pyramidal shaped holes that were probablyintended to hold lamps.
Christian use=
The window tombs of the Tal-Minta Catacombs bring to mind both Punic and Christian
traditions; it is not clear if the burials were originally Christian, or converted to Christian use at a later date. The architectural similarities between late-Punic tombs and Christian hypogea in Malta suggest that the underground burials of early Christians took on Punico-Roman traditions and gave them new significance.
Although the agape table, a common feature of early Christian burials, and altar indicate that the place may have at some point been used for Christian burials, no clear Christian iconography survives in any of the three hypogea.
The discovery of other hypogea, mostly of Christian orientation, around Mqabba suggests that the area was once the location of a sizeable community. However, very few of these small hypogea survive; the closest burials are located at al Ħal Resqun, Luqa
and Ta’ Kandja.
Although the site was certainly in use sometime around the 4th century AD, the lack of surviving finds makes any clear dating impossible. It is thus likewise impossible to know when the three hypogea fell into disuse. It is also unclear whether the well that was dug through one of the hypogea was placed there intentionally to use the cavities that the hypogea offered or whether it hit upon them accidentally. Certainly, the fact that they were connected to provide more water storage capabilities implies that their location was known.
Discovery and excavation=
The catacombs were discovered in 1860 by Dr Antonio Annetto Caruana
and Captain Walter Strickland. At the time the catacombs could only be accessed from a well
.
The catacombs were surveyed sometime after 1882 and by 1913 three small rooms had been built to cover the entrances.
There is no record of artefacts discovered in the three hypogea. While it is possible that the tombs were despoiled of their material, the clearing of debris, bone and artefacts might also be connected to their Christian transformation.
Hypogeum
Hypogeum or hypogaeum literally means "underground", from Greek hypo and gaia . It usually refers to an underground, non-Christian temple or a tomb...
in Mqabba
Mqabba
Mqabba is a town in the south of Malta. Situated at the heart of a soft limestone area, the surrounding of the village is barren and stripped with quarries. Mqabba is renowned for the construction industry, and holds more than a quarter of the quarries in Malta...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. The complex dates to at least to the fourth century AD.
The site is managed by Heritage Malta
Heritage Malta
Heritage Malta is the Maltese national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. Created by the Cultural Heritage Act, enacted in 2002, the national agency replaced the former Museums Department....
and closed to the public for conservation.
Structure and features=
The site comprises three aligned hypogea dug side-by-side, originally accessed via separate stepped shafts but subsequently joined with narrow passages. Although each hypogeum is unique in its internal plan and arrangement, all the hypogea have in common a serious of interconnecting galleries and numerous window tombs.
Although small compared to other catacombs like St. Paul’s
St. Paul's Catacombs
St. Paul’s Catacombs are some of the most prominent features of Malta’s paleochristian archaeology. The archaeological clearing of the site has revealed an extensive system of underground galleries and tombs dated from the fourth to the ninth centuries AD....
in Rabat
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
, the catacombs of Tal-Mintna are highly esteemed for their many interesting features. Window tombs are decorated with elaborately carved scallop-shells and embellished with decorated pilasters. The wall of one small hypogeum features an altar flanked by large pillars carved in relief, on one of which is engraved with illustrations often interpreted to be a face and a kind of palette.
Although it is unfinished, the central hypogeum also offers one of the best preserved examples of a triclinium
Triclinium
A triclinium is a formal dining room in a Roman building. The word is adopted from the Greek τρικλίνιον, triklinion, from τρι-, tri-, "three", and κλίνη, klinē, a sort of "couch" or rather chaise longue...
(agape table
Agape feast
The term Agape or Love feast was used of certain religious meals among early Christians that seem originally to have been closely related to the Eucharist...
) to be found in the late-Roman burials of Malta. The table is uniquely equipped with set of eight pyramidal shaped holes that were probablyintended to hold lamps.
Christian use=
The window tombs of the Tal-Minta Catacombs bring to mind both Punic and Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
traditions; it is not clear if the burials were originally Christian, or converted to Christian use at a later date. The architectural similarities between late-Punic tombs and Christian hypogea in Malta suggest that the underground burials of early Christians took on Punico-Roman traditions and gave them new significance.
Although the agape table, a common feature of early Christian burials, and altar indicate that the place may have at some point been used for Christian burials, no clear Christian iconography survives in any of the three hypogea.
The discovery of other hypogea, mostly of Christian orientation, around Mqabba suggests that the area was once the location of a sizeable community. However, very few of these small hypogea survive; the closest burials are located at al Ħal Resqun, Luqa
Luqa
Ħal Luqa is a village located in the south east of Malta. It is an old town that has a dense population, typical of the Maltese Islands. The population of Ħal Luqa is 6,028 . There is a church in its main square dedicated to St. Andrew. The traditional feast of St...
and Ta’ Kandja.
Although the site was certainly in use sometime around the 4th century AD, the lack of surviving finds makes any clear dating impossible. It is thus likewise impossible to know when the three hypogea fell into disuse. It is also unclear whether the well that was dug through one of the hypogea was placed there intentionally to use the cavities that the hypogea offered or whether it hit upon them accidentally. Certainly, the fact that they were connected to provide more water storage capabilities implies that their location was known.
Discovery and excavation=
The catacombs were discovered in 1860 by Dr Antonio Annetto Caruana
Antonio Annetto Caruana
Antonio Annetto Caruana , also known as A.A. Caruana, was a Maltese archaeologist and author.Born in Valletta, Malta, Caruana showed an unusual proficiency in the knowledge of classical literature by his early adulthood. Graduating in Theology, he declined being ordained as a priest to marry Maria...
and Captain Walter Strickland. At the time the catacombs could only be accessed from a well
Water well
A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a trash pump, a vertical turbine pump, a handpump or a mechanical pump...
.
The catacombs were surveyed sometime after 1882 and by 1913 three small rooms had been built to cover the entrances.
There is no record of artefacts discovered in the three hypogea. While it is possible that the tombs were despoiled of their material, the clearing of debris, bone and artefacts might also be connected to their Christian transformation.