A knights' period stone fougasse has been accidentally discovered by workmen engaged in the widening of the Bahar ic-Caghaq coast road. 

This was announced by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna's Mario Farrugia on his Facebook page.

This may be one of those excavated along the shores by the Order's military engineer Francois Marandon in 1746. 

A fougasse is a hole in the ground primed with explosives and loaded with stone or earth ready to be fired against an advancing enemy. Its role is similar to a modern land mine. 

However, the stone fougasses found in Malta are unique in their design and are only to be found here. 

An attempt was made in the early 19th century by the British to adopt their design in Gibraltar resulting in Healey's Mortar carved high on one part of the rock which is today one of the must-see curiosities there. 

In WW2, the British military had test-fired one at Salina to see if it could be incorporated in the anti-invasion shore defences which were then being erected along the whole of the coastline. 

It is a good thing that it has been saved.