Videos by Nathaniel Cutajar
The National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta holds a collection of fine tableware discovered duri... more The National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta holds a collection of fine tableware discovered during the demolition of the Auberge d’Auvergne in 1965. The collection consists of early 17th Cent armorial plates in stile compendiario and 18th Cent rococo maiolica. Archival research into cabrei, contracts of sale and wills resulted in the identification of the social milieu to which the fine maiolica belonged – namely high-ranking functionaries of the Order of St. John. The identification of the heraldry shown on the armorial plates also allowed to explore some of the social mechanisms involved in the ownership of fine ceramics - including aspects of aristocratic banqueting and elite gift exchange. By mapping the evolving context of this urban quarter it is also possible to start defining the depositional processes involved in the unceremonious disposal of this high-status tableware in a Valletta cesspit. 20 views
Papers by Nathaniel Cutajar
2023. Fare Convito - the archaeology of banqueting in Hospitaller Malta, 2023
A booklet produced for the National Museum of Archaeology (Heritage Malta) for the opening in 202... more A booklet produced for the National Museum of Archaeology (Heritage Malta) for the opening in 2023 of a temporary exhibition entitled 'Fare Convito - the archaeology of banqueting in Hospitaller Malta '. The exhibition examines the role of high-status maiolica and porcelain in Baroque communal dining, and particularly in banqueting rituals. This is done through archaeological evidence of such high-status ceramics, combined with archival, art-historical and ethnographic data. In particular the exhibition focuses on the role played by the the 'credenza' - a non-functional display of valuable table ware - in both renaissance and baroque banqueting customs, including in Malta during the rule of the Order of St. John (16th to 8th century).
M.Giorgio (ed.). Storie [di] Ceramiche 8 - Fonti scritte e iconografiche, 2022
This study examines a ceramic assemblage discovered in 1965 during the demolition of the Auberge ... more This study examines a ceramic assemblage discovered in 1965 during the demolition of the Auberge d’Auvergne and of adjacent buildings in Valletta. The collection is made up almost entirely of fine maiolica fragments in the late Renaissance and Rococo tastes
favoured by Valletta’s elites during the 17th and 18th centuries. By using a range of archival sources, it was possible to reconstruct aspects of the social biography of these ceramics, thereby providing valuable insights into how such ceramics were acquired, used and disposed of in Early Modern societies. These historical sources also provide us with a model for some of the taphonomic processes involved in the archaeology of high-status ceramics, not only applicable to Early Modern deposits but possibly also for older
contexts.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 11(8), 4251-4306, 2019
Bayesian chronological modelling of radiocarbon dates from the Brochtorff Circle at Xagħra, Gozo,... more Bayesian chronological modelling of radiocarbon dates from the Brochtorff Circle at Xagħra, Gozo, Malta (achieved through the ToTL and FRAGSUS projects), provides a more precise chronology for the sequence of development and use of a cave complex. Artefacts show that the site was in use from the Żebbuġ period of the late 5th/early 4th millennium cal BC to the Tarxien Cemetery phase of the later 3rd/early 2nd millennia cal BC. Absolutely dated funerary activity, however, starts with a small rockcut tomb, probably in use in the mid to late fourth millennium cal BC, in the Ġgantija period. After an interval of centuries, burial resumed on a larger scale, probably in the thirtieth century cal BC, associated with Tarxien cultural material, with the use of the cave for collective burial and other depositions, with a series of structures, most notably altar-like settings built from massive stone slabs, which served to monumentalise the space. This process continued at intervals until the d...
Malta between the 9th and 10th cent - two early medieval contexts, 2018
Study of the ceramic assemblage from two early medieval archaeological contexts - Mdina and Hal S... more Study of the ceramic assemblage from two early medieval archaeological contexts - Mdina and Hal Safi, an urban and a rural site, broadly datable to between the second half of the 9th and the first half of the 10th century. A wide range of amphora productions are documented for both contexts, alongside with other ceramic typologies found at this sites.
The Archaeology of Malta's Dark Ages (Exhibition Booklet), 2018
A booklet produced for the National Museum of Archaeology (Heritage Malta) for the opening in 201... more A booklet produced for the National Museum of Archaeology (Heritage Malta) for the opening in 2018 of a temporary exhibition entitled 'Core & Periphery - Mdina and Hal Safi in the 9th and 10 centuries'. The booklet has a didactic intent, aiming to present some aspects of the archaeology of the Maltese archaeology from the end of the Byzantine occupation and the start of the Arab/Aghlabid period. Two archaeological situations of this period are presented and contrasted - from urban and rural contexts - and set against some of the wider Mediterranean developments.
The Inquisitors' Porcelain in 18th century Malta, 2019
Exhibition Leaflet organised in 2019 as part of Heritage Malta's Expresso Exhibition series and h... more Exhibition Leaflet organised in 2019 as part of Heritage Malta's Expresso Exhibition series and held at the Inquisitors' Palace (Birgu, Malta). The event highlighted the discovery of an important cluster of mostly 18th cent. European porcelain found during archaeological investigations within the Inquisitors' Palace. These artefacts document aspects of aristocratic baroque culture and social norms in 18th century Malta, including aspects of high status celebration through food rituals and through elite gift exchange systems.
The aim of this study is to draw scholarly attention to the presence in Malta of a previously und... more The aim of this study is to draw scholarly attention to the presence in Malta of a previously undocumented class of 18th-century ceramics from the Levant – the Ottoman fritware known as Kutahya ware. It also provides a case study on how archaeology and archival information can be combined to develop new perspectives on early modern Maltese history.
Proceedings of the History Week 2015: The 1565 Great Siege, the Founding of Valletta and their Lasting Effects., 2018
The paper presents the first interdisciplinary results of a joint survey project in the north-wes... more The paper presents the first interdisciplinary results of a joint survey project in the north-west of Malta, with finds ranging from the Prehistoric till the Early Modern period. Three permanently inhabited sites were encountered dating to at least the late 6th or early 5th century BCE, with a clearer attestation in the Hellenistic/Roman and Late Antique periods. The resulting reconstructed settlement pattern of the Phoenician/Punic period suggests a managed landscape that seems to be a good reflexion of what is happening in North Africa and elsewhere in the central and western Mediterranean. At least from the Roman period on, these sites seem to have specialised on the production of olive oil.
Talks by Nathaniel Cutajar
A lecture given at the National Library in Valletta on the subject of post-medieval ceramics and ... more A lecture given at the National Library in Valletta on the subject of post-medieval ceramics and archival sources. In particular it explores different strands of evidence - material and archival - on the importation of Tunisian ceramics to Malta during the 17th and 18th Century. The role played by Ottoman slaves in Malta in the development of these commercia links is also considered. Slaves from the Maghreb appear as possible 'silent partners' in linking up the Tunisian producers of ceramics and other North African merchandise, to the fast growing Maltese consumer market.
Conference Presentations by Nathaniel Cutajar
In ricordo di Graziella Berti Ancora una volta, a otto anni dalla sua scomparsa, si vuole ricorda... more In ricordo di Graziella Berti Ancora una volta, a otto anni dalla sua scomparsa, si vuole ricordare Graziella Berti, figura di rilievo negli studi storici su Pisa ed il Mediterraneo e tra le massime esperte italiane di ceramica medievale e della prima età moderna.
Edited books by Nathaniel Cutajar
This book offers a collection of essays on Byzantine Italy, the area from which we have inherited... more This book offers a collection of essays on Byzantine Italy, the area from which we have inherited the richest and best-preserved historical evidence among all of the regions of the former Eastern Roman Empire up to the 11th century. The collection aims to provide readers with a critical overview of current research as well as new insights concerning political, institutional, economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects of the Italian regions under Byzantine rule. The methodological approach of the volume combines history with archaeology and art history, while remaining focused on the general framework of the early medieval Mediterranean. The result is a fresh and up-to-date synthesis that can be useful both for specialists and students.
Books by Nathaniel Cutajar
An Island In Transition, 700 to 1700 AD The Archaeology of Medieval Gozo, 2021
Gozo is the second largest island within the Maltese archipelago. Gozo is a typical Mediterranean... more Gozo is the second largest island within the Maltese archipelago. Gozo is a typical Mediterranean micro-territory, supporting a interesting polity and economy which was distinct, if closely bound to, its larger Maltese neighbour.
Unfortunately, Gozo irretrievably lost most of its medieval archival and artistic heritage following the devastating military events of 1551 - it was as if a millennium of this micro-polity history had been completely erased. This exhibition explored four archaeological case studies - Maritime trade, Art, Rural landscape, Ceramic production - that can provide us with new insights into Gozo's otherwise obscure medieval and early modern history.
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Videos by Nathaniel Cutajar
Papers by Nathaniel Cutajar
favoured by Valletta’s elites during the 17th and 18th centuries. By using a range of archival sources, it was possible to reconstruct aspects of the social biography of these ceramics, thereby providing valuable insights into how such ceramics were acquired, used and disposed of in Early Modern societies. These historical sources also provide us with a model for some of the taphonomic processes involved in the archaeology of high-status ceramics, not only applicable to Early Modern deposits but possibly also for older
contexts.
Talks by Nathaniel Cutajar
Conference Presentations by Nathaniel Cutajar
Edited books by Nathaniel Cutajar
Books by Nathaniel Cutajar
Unfortunately, Gozo irretrievably lost most of its medieval archival and artistic heritage following the devastating military events of 1551 - it was as if a millennium of this micro-polity history had been completely erased. This exhibition explored four archaeological case studies - Maritime trade, Art, Rural landscape, Ceramic production - that can provide us with new insights into Gozo's otherwise obscure medieval and early modern history.
favoured by Valletta’s elites during the 17th and 18th centuries. By using a range of archival sources, it was possible to reconstruct aspects of the social biography of these ceramics, thereby providing valuable insights into how such ceramics were acquired, used and disposed of in Early Modern societies. These historical sources also provide us with a model for some of the taphonomic processes involved in the archaeology of high-status ceramics, not only applicable to Early Modern deposits but possibly also for older
contexts.
Unfortunately, Gozo irretrievably lost most of its medieval archival and artistic heritage following the devastating military events of 1551 - it was as if a millennium of this micro-polity history had been completely erased. This exhibition explored four archaeological case studies - Maritime trade, Art, Rural landscape, Ceramic production - that can provide us with new insights into Gozo's otherwise obscure medieval and early modern history.