TAS-SILG FORT

It is an architectural example of a polygonal-shaped fort, consisting of barracks and underground tunnels, surrounded by a moat and entered via a drawbridge. It forms part of a more global chain of protection for the port of Marsaxlokk, comprising Fort Delimara, Fort Saint-Lucien at Kbira, Fort Benghisa and the Pinto and Feretti batteries on the riverbanks. Since 1991, it has been used by The Island Sanctuary as a shelter for abandoned dogs. The northern part of the site is in poor condition and in danger of collapsing. In recent years, the Tas-Silg site has been visited by numerous archaeologists. They are studying the traces of the Phoenicians that have been unearthed here. These are important excavations, as the Phoenicians, who came to Malta from what is now Lebanon, left few architectural remains. The Phoenicians arrived in Malta in the ^8th century BC, bringing the archipelago out of prehistory. The ruins discovered at Tas-Silg are those of a temple undoubtedly dedicated to Astarte (her name is inscribed in many places), one of the principal divinities of their pantheon. The vast quantity of animal bones and shells indicates that large-scale ritual banquets were held here. Excavation work continues here, and local historians hope it will provide answers to the many questions they have about the Phoenicians' presence on Malta. Why did they mix with the population when, elsewhere, they often preferred to keep to themselves?