Punic-Roman towers in Malta

Their architecture suggests a late Punic origin,[1] and they remained in use throughout the Roman period, until at least the 3rd century AD.

[2] The towers are clearly all built on high grounds, in specific locations, and could considerably communicate with signals from one to another.

Six sites, all on the main island of Malta, have been identified as being the remains of towers built either in the Punic or Roman periods.

The remains of some other towers might have been demolished to make way for the runway of the Malta International Airport.

[13][14][15] All six towers have a round shape, and were built out of large ashlar blocks, typical of late Punic buildings.

Although some theories suggest that the towers are prehistoric, it is generally believed that they date back to the late Punic period, as evidenced by their architecture as well as by pottery and other artefacts uncovered at Ta' Wilġa and Ta' Ġawhar.

[17] Ta' Ġawhar Tower is believed to have been burnt twice, initially during the First Punic War and again in around the 3rd century AD.

[8] Coins dating back to 35 BC and the 3rd century AD have been found at Ta' Ġawhar, along with an iron ace and a gold earring.