Discover Malta's
maritime history
etched in stone
the Team
Prof Timmy Gambin
Christian Dalton
Christian is a Maritime Archaeologist with a keen interest in the analysis and formation of historic graffiti. With a background in Physical Geography, he undertook a Masters in Maritime Archaeology at the University of Malta where he was introduced to historic graffiti research. He joined the Malta Ship Graffiti Project (MSGP), has discovered many previously unknown graffiti sites and created a methodology to record them. Since then, he has undertaken surveying projects on the wreck of RMS Lusitania and investigated almost a dozen shipwrecks on the UK Kent coastline. He has also presented his graffiti findings at several conferences including the “Making Your Mark Graffiti Symposium” at the University of Southampton and the University of Augsburg, and for the “Under the Mediterranean II Conference” in Malta. He also founded and leads his Maritime Archaeology consultancy, Wreckognition. He is currently a Marine Geophysicist at Wessex Archaeology.
Maja Sausmekat
Maja Sausmekat is an archaeologist and a graduate from the University of Malta, having obtained a Masters in Archaeological Practice. Maja joined the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit of Heritage Malta in 2019 and is currently responsible for the day-to-day management of access to and promotion of Malta’s underwater cultural heritage sites.
Julia Zerafa
Denis A. Darmanin
Denis Anthony Darmanin holds a Diploma in Baroque Architecture and a Master in Arts (History), both with distinction, from the University of Malta.
He has contributed articles on military history in local and foreign journals and publications. Denis is co-author and illustrator of multiple books on uniform buttons, such as ‘Buttons, Parade: Military & Civilian Uniform Buttons in Malta – 18th to 21st Centuries’ with Prof. George Cassar. He is also the author of ‘Pembroke, From a British Garrison to a Modern Civilian Town’ and ‘British Military Murals at the Main Guard’. His other passions include historic graffiti, fortifications and British military and naval establishments in Malta. Denis is one of the earliest AFM divers and reenactors in Malta.
Damien Gerada
Damien is currently studying History with International Relations at the University of Malta.
His role with the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit at Heritage Malta allows him to delve deeper into his passions. In the future, Damien would like to continue exploring the significance of the various wrecks in Maltese waters so as to be able to help enrich and protect Malta’s cultural heritage.
Acknowledge
Many thanks to the supporters of the MSGP as well as predecessors of graffiti research in Malta, such as Joseph Muscat. Thanks to Mr Mion and others for collecting ship graffiti images and providing insight.
Joe Muscat
Joe Muscat was an expert in Maltese maritime history, having authored a number of publications on the subject. Il-Graffiti Marittimi Maltin (2002, Kullana Kulturali Vol. 36) is one of his publications which he dedicated solely to Maltese maritime graffiti. Muscat recorded a number of graffiti around the Maltese islands, which he preserved through photography and writing. His endeavours have been recognised as a priceless contribution towards the study of Maltese maritime history having been awarded the Medal for Service to the Republic.
The senior curator of the Malta Maritime Museum, Liam Gauci, shared some of his memories of the late Joe Muscat which can be listened to by following the link:
Discover the various graffiti.
Peppered across Malta and Gozo are hidden gems, inscribed in stone, explore the map to discover their locations, or view our galleries as we display our recordings.