Il santuario di Ras il-Wardua: la prima campagna di scavi 2021 della missione archeologica a Gozo dell'Università di Roma "La Sapienza"

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 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-2nd century AD). Since its Phoenician construction, it was one of the main Mediterranean sanctuaries dedicated to the Great Goddess of sailors, 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 Mission 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 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.