A punic tomb, complete with a skeleton and pottery, has been unearthed in Zejtun, the superintendence of cultural heritage announced on Tuesday.

The Superintendence said that last week its Heritage Data Management and Research Unit concluded the excavation of a Punic tomb unearthed during the archaeology monitoring for a plot, which is planned to be developed.

The plot is very close to other previously discovered tombs along Triq Tal-Barrani in Żejtun. The tomb consists of a rock-cut shaft and chamber tomb, which was found sealed with a sealing slab. 

Inside the tomb a skeleton together with some pottery vessels were found.

The Superintendence said that in the coming weeks, osteologists will study the skeleton to see if it belongs to a male or female, how old the person was at death, any illness the person may have as well as other data.

Meanwhile, archaeologists and other specialists will be cleaning and studying the pottery further so as to more accurately date the burial. 

The tomb has been documented and will be protected as per the Cultural Heritage Act 2019 and it will be listed in the National Inventory, adding further data to understand the archaeological landscape of the area.

The Consultations Unit within the Superintendence will continue to be vigilant with development applications in this area, as will the Monitoring Unit when directing monitoring surveillance work in the surrounding region through freelance archaeologists who monitor development works.