Themistocles Żammit

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Bust of Themistocles Żammit in the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta

Themistocles Żammit (born September 30, 1864 in Valletta , † November 2, 1935 ) was a Maltese archaeologist , historian , chemist , physician , researcher and writer . Żammit was Rector of the University of Malta from 1920 to 1926 and first director of the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta.

Career

After graduating in field medicine at the University of Malta is specialized Zammit with further studies in London and Paris in the field of bacteriology . In 1905 he made the discovery that the brucellosis pathogens (Brucella melitensis) present in the blood of goats are transmitted to humans through contaminated milk. With this knowledge he made a great contribution to the fight against Malta fever . For this, Żammit was raised to the nobility in 1911 .

Themistocles Zammit published several short stories in Maltese and received a doctorate honoris causa of the University of Oxford . He published a history of the Maltese islands and made significant archaeological discoveries such as the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni , the temples of Tarxien , Hagar Qim and Mnajdra , which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

meaning

Żammit's successes in the archaeological field established his high international reputation. The public interest in Malta's historical treasures, awakened by Żammit's excavations and the artifacts discovered - including the famous "fat lady" - encouraged the formation of a Maltese identity. A permanent exhibition at the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta shows some of the finds.

Honors

  • 2006 Malta: 5 Liri commemorative coin , silver with portrait

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Żammit, Themistocles
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Żammit, Temistokle
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Maltese scholar
DATE OF BIRTH September 30, 1864
PLACE OF BIRTH Valletta
DATE OF DEATH November 2, 1935