AIS Ltd has commissioned a fully integrated Weather Station at the Neolithic site of Ggantija in Gozo. Working closely with Heritage Malta conservationists, AIS’s engineers and technicians installed a number of external sensors and data logging equipment within the site. These sensors measure temperature, relative humidity, solar radiance and wind speeds amongst other parameters.

The project forms part of Heritage Malta’s forceful drive to conserve and embellish our islands’ cultural and archeological riches

The Ġgantija temples in Gozo were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. They are the earliest of a series of megalithic temples in Malta. Their makers erected the two Ġgantija temples during the Neolithic Age (c. 3600-2500 BC), which makes these temples more than 5500 years old and some of the world's oldest man-made religious structures.

All the data gathered from the sensors is transmitted in real-time across a wide area networking system to Heritage Malta’s Bighi Centre in Malta. Here, state-of-the-art human-machine interface software displays all data graphically and in real time.

AIS Ltd CEO, Ing Mario Schembri, said: “A major difficulty encountered in the project was the fact that modern equipment and ancient structures just do not mix. All equipment was therefore specially chosen and sited so that at first glance, one can hardly notice any monitoring instruments in place at all. Moreover, solar panels provide instrument power requirements, thus minimizing the need for unsightly cable installations.”

AIS’s specially chosen and sited solar powered sensors at Ggantija are measuring temperature, relative humidity, solar radiance and wind speed.