The Phoenician-Punic Sanctuary of Ras il-Wardija (Gozo): A Reassessment of the Cult and Ritual of Astarte in the Light of Recent Discoveries by the Sapienza Archaeological Mission at Gozo–Ras il-Wardija Project (2021–2022)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The promontory of Ras il-Wardija, on the northwestern cusp of the Island of Gozo, holds one of the most spectacular temples of the ancient Mediterranean dedicated to the Phoenician goddess Astarte. It dates to the fourth century BCE and hosted an important cult of Astarte/Hera/Juno throughout the Roman period (third–second centuries CE). The general plan has been clarified by the excavations of the Italian Mission between 1963 and 1967. In 2021 Sapienza University, thanks to an agreement with Heritage Malta and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, resumed research activities at Ras il-Wardija, studying the sanctuary’s cult and rituals through the pottery and small finds unearthed in the 1960s, but following new avenues of research. The discovery of several Punic dedication formulas similar to those found at Tas-Silġ suggests a link between the two cult places, probably stemming from festivities such as the Anagógia and Katagógia mentioned in classical sources.