Themistocles Zammit

Themistocles Zammit ( born September 30, 1864 in Valletta, † November 2, 1935 ) was a Maltese archaeologist, historians, chemists, physicians, researchers and writers. Zammit was from 1920 to 1926 Rector of the University of Malta and first Director of the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

Career

After his graduation in the area of ​​medicine at the University of Malta Zammit specialized in further studies in London and Paris in the field of bacteriology. In 1905 he made ​​the discovery that existing in the blood of goats Brucelloseerreger ( Brucella melitensis ) are transmitted by contaminated milk to humans. With this realization, he made ​​a great contribution to the fight against Malta fever. Zammit was collected for 1911 in the peerage.

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 Hypogeum, the Tarxien Temples, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Importance

Żammits success on archaeological area justified his outstanding international reputation. The public interest in Malta's historical treasures, the Żammits by excavations and the artifacts discovered during - including the famous "fat lady" - was awakened, promoted the formation of a Maltese identity. A permanent exhibition of the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta shows some of the finds.

Honors

• 2006 Malta: Commemorative 5 Liri, silver with portrait