The national education curriculum is set for a significant revision following the publication of an archaeological discovery that has pushed Malta’s human history back by over 1,000 years, Maltese Education Minister Clifton Grima has confirmed.
The findings, unveiled in a leading international scientific journal, suggest that the first humans to set foot on the Maltese islands were hunter-gatherers — a revelation that upends long-held assumptions which placed early farming communities at the centre of Malta’s prehistoric narrative.
Speaking in reaction to the breakthrough, Minister Grima described the discovery as an emotional and historic moment for the country, stating it would have inevitable implications for the way history is taught in schools.
“As a proud Maltese person, I’m deeply moved. This is an exciting period,” he said. “Our researchers will now — quite literally — dig deeper, and as the body of evidence expands, our curriculum should evolve accordingly.”
While refraining from committing to specific timelines or curricular changes at this early stage, the minister underscored the importance of letting the research mature further before integrating its findings into the classroom. “This is only the beginning of a new chapter in our understanding of Malta’s origins,” Grima said. “We must first ensure the knowledge is robust and verified.”
He went on to stress that the school curriculum must be a living document — one that reflects the most accurate understanding of Malta’s historical and cultural development. Drawing a parallel with technological progress, Grima said, “Just as we adapt our curriculum to keep pace with advances in technology, so too must we do when our understanding of the past evolves. It is vital that we preserve our heritage and pass it on accurately to future generations.”
The six-year excavation effort was led by Professors Eleanor Scerri and Nicholas Vella, whose work in a Mellieħa cave uncovered material evidence that has drawn international recognition and comparisons to the landmark megalithic discoveries of Sir Temi Zammit. The find not only redefines Malta’s historical timeline but also challenges broader academic assumptions about the mobility and capabilities of early hunter-gatherer societies, particularly their ability to reach small, isolated islands.
Grima acknowledged that integrating such transformative information into the educational system will present logistical and academic challenges. However, he was unequivocal in his priorities. “The work it takes is the least of my worries,” he stated. “What matters now is expanding and verifying the knowledge we have.”
The minister also hinted at further scientific revelations to come, including insights into the flora, fauna, and societal structures that existed on the islands during this newly identified period of human presence.
In closing, Grima emphasised that Maltese students deserve to be taught a version of history that reflects the most accurate, up-to-date understanding of their national heritage — a sentiment that underscores a broader commitment to aligning education with academic excellence and cultural integrity.
Main Photos: (Left) Hunter-gatherers were crossing at least 100 km of open water to reach the Mediterranean island of Malta 8,500 years ago, a thousand years before the arrival of the first farmers. Photo credit: Daniel Clarke(Right) Cave site of Latnija in the northern Mellieħa region of Malta. Photo credit: Huw Groucutt
Source: TOM/University of Malta