OKAY, HERE’S THE STORY

Set the scene.

In 1881, workers planting trees near Mdina uncovered the remains of a wealthy Roman townhouse. Antonio Annetto Caruana investigated the discovery.

Here’s the twist.

Its elaborate mosaic floors were protected by a museum, opened in 1882. The surviving rooms offer only part of the original home.

Why it still matters.

Try reading the floor as a clue to status: intricate decoration took skilled work. Archaeologists infer wealth from the evidence; they cannot confidently name the owner.

🧠 One to think about +

What does this story change about the way you see Malta today? Pick one detail you’d tell a friend — then check its source below.