Detailed GPR Mapping of Catacombs at Early Christian Cemetery on Malta

During the period from 03th of March to 12th of March, 2010, team of researchers specialized in archaeological geophysical surveying from company Geoarheo d.o.o. from Zagreb, Croatia (and associates) carried out geophysical survey at location St.Paul’s and St. Agathas Catacombs and the surrounding streets at Rabat, Malta. Survey was based on principles of archaeological geophysics i.e.with dense grid of profiles producing high resolution 3D results with possibility to present and interpret such results to archaeologists.<br>Objective of GPR survey was to detect and map extends of catacombs and other underground features for further archaeological research. St. Paul’s catacombs are largest early Christian cemetery at Malta, dating roughly from 4 – 9 century AD, presenting one of most significant archaeological sites from this period.<br>Carved in a soft in (upper) coralline limestone which is the topmost formation of the Maltese layer cake. This formation is mostly made up of shallow marine sediments which have characteristics of several different marine or intertidal environments.<br>Catacombs consist of a system of corridors and walls covered with rectangular hollows for a burial of the death bodies. Depth of ceiling appears aprox. 1 – 4 m under surface. Results of GPR survey presents a detection of known catacombs as well as some unknown extends and catacomb corridors that have not been detected before. <br>Geophysical survey at Malta was taken with (GPR) model SIR 3000 GSSI and antennas of 1600, 400, 270 and 200 MHz. At the site, total of 651 GPR profiles were recorded within 24 fields and the 15 individual profiles. Area covered with survey reached approximately 5600 m2.