A new Maltese-Italian collaboration exploring Roman society and ceramic technology through archaeometric research.

The CIRCE (Cooperative & Innovative Research in Ceramic Exchange) project is a collaborative research initiative between the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Scienze del Patrimonio Culturale (CNR-ISPC). The project seeks to deepen our understanding of pottery production in Roman Malta and to reconstruct trade and exchange networks across the central Mediterranean through the application of innovative archaeometric methods. 

CIRCE focuses on the scientific characterisation of Roman-period pottery, particularly coarse wares and local red-slip productions. Through a combination of non-invasive and laboratory-based analytical techniques, the project aims to establish the first comprehensive geochemical and technological reference framework for Maltese Roman ceramics. This will help researchers distinguish locally produced pottery from imported wares, identify raw material sources, investigate manufacturing processes, and better understand Malta's role within wider Mediterranean economic and cultural networks. 

Beyond its scientific objectives, CIRCE places strong emphasis on heritage preservation, capacity building, and international collaboration. The project promotes the exchange of knowledge between Maltese and Italian researchers, providing opportunities for specialised training in archaeometric techniques while strengthening long-term research partnerships in the field of heritage science. Its findings will contribute to the preservation, interpretation, and public appreciation of Malta's archaeological heritage. 

As part of the project's first activities, SCH hosted an in-person meeting and training session in Valletta between 24 and 26 June 2026. Researchers from Malta and Italy participated in laboratory testing using portable X-Ray Fluorescence (p-XRF) equipment, field visits to sites of geological significance, and a specialist seminar focusing on Maltese pottery, archaeometric research, and analytical methodologies used in ceramic studies. These activities provided an important opportunity for knowledge exchange and hands-on training, laying the foundation for future collaborative research throughout the duration of the project.

Project Website:

https://schmalta.mt/ 

https://www.ispc.cnr.it/it_it/

Funding Entity: Xjenza Malta.

Funding Programme: CIRCE received funding through the SPIRE – Seed Grants for International Research Programme 2025, under the joint call between Xjenza Malta and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR). 

Contact Information:
Superintendence of Cultural Heritage
Email: info.sch@gov.mt 
Tel: +356 2395 000