An Archaeological Study Tour
Malta, Sardinia & Corsica
May 6 – 23, 2009
Led by Professor Robert R. Stieglitz


The Mediterranean islands are like a protest of the habitable earth against the emptiness of the seas. Each has its own characteristic geological environment and has developed its own cultural and political history. They were a refuge for those peoples whose cultures and lifestyles were submerged on the mainlands but were able to survive on the islands, and are therefore treasure-houses of the oldest, protohistoric Mediterranean civilizations: the megalithic temples of Malta, the nuraghes of Sardinia and the open-air sanctuaries and mysterious cult sites of Corsica. In the historical period, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Crusader knights, Turks, Spaniards, Italians, French and British fought over these islands, ruled over them and left their indelible marks in the monuments and cultures of the people still living there today. Spectacular scenery, sunny skies and warm weather will enhance the exploration of these ancient civilizations.


Wednesday, Thursday, May 6 & 7: VALLETTA: Depart New York and arrive into Malta midday Thursday. We will transfer to the newly renovated Phoenicia Hotel, just outside the gates of Valletta, and meet with Professor Stieglitz for an orientation lecture and dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Dinner

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 8, 9 & 10: VALLETTA: During the next three days touring will include the Archaeological Museum, renowned for its prehistoric material, a walking tour in the old city, Hal Saflieni, a vast rock-cut catacomb for multiple burials, and Skorba, one of the earliest and continuously inhabited sites on the island. We will also visit the old city of Mdina, twin city to Rabat, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, an extraordinary complex that is unusual for its beautifully dressed stones and variety of altars, and the temples of Tarxien, which represent the finest architectural achievement of their period. On Sunday we will travel to the far end of the island and take a ferry to the island of Gozo to visit the Archaeological Museum and the Citadel in the old Norman town of Victoria, as well as the prehistoric temples of Ggantija, which date from 3600 BC. These well-preserved temples have massive walls, some of which still rise to a height of 17 feet.
Meals: Breakfast daily, 2 lunches & 1 dinner

Monday, Tuesday, May 11 & 12: CAGLIARI: This morning we will depart Malta arriving into Cagliari, Sardinia, in the late afternoon. Touring Tuesday is within Cagliari and includes the Archaeological Museum, the 13th century Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, the Roman Amphitheater, the 5th century St. Saturninus Basilica, believed to be one of the oldest Christian churches in the Mediterranean, and ends with a walking tour in the Old Town. The afternoon will be at leisure. Hotel Regina Margherita.
Meals: Breakfast daily & 1 dinner

Wednesday, May 13: CAGLIARI: Today’s itinerary will take us to several Phoenician sites, beginning with a scenic drive along the coast to the Phoenician town of Nora to visit its Punic temple, houses, Roman theater and baths. We then continue to the volcanic island of St. Antioco to see a fascinating Tophet and lastly, at Monte Sirai, we will tour a Phoenician mining town.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Thursday, May 14: ORISTANO: During our stay on Sardinia we will have the opportunity to examine several of the 7,000 nuraghes built throughout the island. These mysterious, awe-inspiring, dry-stone monumental buildings have been difficult to date. It is believed that during the second millennium BC the Sardinian people developed into a more complex society and began constructing these buildings as temples, fortresses and dwellings. Driving north, we stop at the megalithic cult center and cemetery of Pranu Muteddu, the spring sanctuary of Santa Vittoria, and the largest nuraghic village in Sardinia, Su Nuraxi, which has 396 houses and a massive central structure. Our touring ends at the ancient Phoenician and Roman town of Tharros. We overnight in medieval Oristano at Hotel Mistral II.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Friday, Saturday, May 15 & 16: ALGHERO: Our touring begins at the nuraghic complex of Losa and the sanctuary of Santa Cristina and continues to the complex of Sant’Antine and the rock-cut necropolis of Sant’Andrea Priu. After lunch in the old city of Sassari, a delightful medieval town nestling around its great cathedral, we visit Neolithic Monte d’Accoddi, a great megalithic altar set on a base of over ten meters. Sunday morning we will visit the rock-cut cemetery of Anghelu Ruju and the nuraghe and village of Palmavera. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to stroll in town or take a boat trip to nearby grottoes. We will spend two nights at Hotel Catalunya in the lovely port city of Alghero.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch daily

Sunday, Monday, May 17 & 18: BONIFACIO: After visiting the Punic and Roman collection at Sassari’s National Museum, a spectacular drive takes us through mountain villages and along winding coastal roads to the prehistoric cemetery of Li Muri and the giants’ tombs, Li Loighi and Coddu Vecchiu. A short ferry trip takes us from Sardinia to the fortified town of Bonifacio, perched atop the chalk cliffs of Corsica. On Monday we drive north via Porto-Vecchio to visit the Bronze Age site of Castello d’Arragiu, returning to Bonifacio for lunch and a tour of its old buildings remaining from the Pisan and Genoese periods, as well as its fortifications, built in 830 AD. Solemare Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, 1 lunch & 1 dinner

Tuesday, May 19: PROPRIANO: Driving into the Tizzano Valley, we visit the Palaggiu alignments of menhirs, the megalithic sites of Fontanaccua, Stantari and Renaghju, the best-preserved dolmen in Corsica. We continue to the Alta Rocca region, where, following densely forested paths, we visit the Bronze Age fortified Torreen complex of Castellu de Cucuruzzu and the remains of Capula. The day’s final stop is the small museum at Levie. Hotel San Damianu.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Wednesday, May 20: AJACCIO: Touring today begins with Renaghju and the best-preserved dolmen in Corsica, complete with funeral chamber. We then continue to Filitosa, Corsica’s most important prehistoric site. Here menhirs, carved five thousand years ago, represent the pinnacle of achievement for the megalithic artists. We will spend the night in Ajaccio, Napoleon’s birthplace, where a short walking tour will bring us to his house. Hotel Palazzu Domu.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Thursday, May 21: ERBALUNGA: Today will be filled with ever-changing vistas, beginning with the coastal scenery and the Bay of Sagone, continuing as we begin our ascent into the mountains, winding our way to Cargese. Along the way we will stop to visit a fine Greek church decorated with 17th-century icons, before continuing to Porto Bay via a spectacular “calanche” of red granite. Turning inland we follow the wild Spelunca Canyons through the Aitone Forest to Evisa at 2,500 feet. Then, after a stroll in the intriguing mountain town, Corte, Corsica’s national capital, we descend to the tiny fishing village of Erbalunga on Cap Corse. Our hotel, Castel Brando, is a charming family-run hotel centrally located near shops, restaurants and the sea coast.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Friday, Saturday, May 22 & 23: ERBALUNGA: Our touring begins in Aleria, capital of Corsica during the Roman period, and continues to Mariana to see its Roman remains and the church of San Parteo de Mariana and La Canonica. On our return to Erbalunga, we stop at the church of San Michele de Murato, one of the most remarkable Romanesque churches on Corsica. There will be time to explore our picturesque village or relax at our hotel before our farewell dinner at a restaurant in the old harbor.Saturday our flight to New York is via Nice and Munich.
Meals: Breakfast & farewell dinner

This tour requires walking through large archaeological sites on uneven terrain. For the most satisfying experience, and in fairness to your fellow travelers, all participants are expected to be physically active and able to walk independently throughout our full touring days.