Paris, April 18 (No.2001-58) - UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today expressed shock at the damage inflicted by vandals on the megalithic temple of Mnajdra, on the island of Malta, an “unworthy act [which] proves that in Europe, as elsewhere, the heritage of humanity is not sheltered from human ignorance.”

Mr Matsuura declared: “The act of vandalism perpetrated at Mnajdra is unspeakable. This exceptional architectural masterpiece, particularly impressive when considering the limited resources that were available to its builders, is a remarkable testimony of prehistoric megalithic art. This unworthy act proves that in Europe, as elsewhere, the heritage of humanity is not sheltered from human ignorance and stupidity. I invite all Member States to increase their vigilance in protecting sites.”

The megalithic temple of Mnajdra - inscribed in 1992 along with the temples of Hagar Qim and Tarxien on the World Heritage List, which also includes the Maltese megalithic temple of Ggantija, inscribed in 1980 - was damaged last week in the worst act of vandalism ever committed on the island of Malta, according to the authorities in charge of the site.

Some sixty 5,000-year-old megaliths were toppled, broken or inscribed with graffiti suggesting an occult ritual. There are reports that a part of the newly restored temple was also damaged. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is due to send a mission to the site shortly.

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