Il Santuario di Ras il-Wardija: la prima campagna di scavi 2021 della Missione archeologica a Gozo dell’Università di Roma «La Sapienza»

Abstract

The promontory of Ras il-Wardija, on the northwestern cusp of the island of Gozo, holds one of the
most spectacular temples of ancient Mediterranean dedicated to the Phoenician goddess Astarte, the
Great Goddess of sailors. The Phoenician-Punic sanctuary of Ras il-Wardija dates to the 4th century
BC and hosts an important cult of Hera/Juno throughout the Roman period (3rd century BC-2
nd century
AD). Since its Phoenician construction, it was one of the main Mediterranean sanctuaries along the
ancient sea-route called “Route of the Great Islands” connecting the East and the West of the
Mediterranean. The general plan of the sanctuary has been clarified by the excavations of the Italian
Expedition that operated in the site between 1963-1967. However, a further investigation of the
structures with respect to the territory behind it, a deep analysis of rites and cults worshipped in the
sanctuary, and the overall chronology are still missing. Sapienza University, thanks to a new agreement
with Heritage Malta and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage of Malta, and with the collaboration
of the University of Malta, resumed the research activities at Ras il-Wardija, pursuing the study of the
sanctuary and following new research paths, including the environment and the ancient landscape.