Themistocles Zammit

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Sir Themistocles Zammit

Born	30 September 1864 Valletta, Malta
Died	2 November 1935
Occupation	Archaeologist, historian, medical doctor, academic, writer
Spouse	Aloisia Barbaro di San Giorgio
Children	Charles and Sophia Zammit

Sir Themistocles Zammit (1864 - 1935) achieved international recognition for his native Malta through his scientific research. He was an accomplished archaeologist and historian, professor of chemistry, medical doctor, researcher and writer, serving as Rector (1920-26) of the University of Malta and first Director of the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

[edit] Career

After graduating in medicine from the University of Malta, "Temi" Zammit, as he was generally known, specialised in bacteriology in London and Paris. His 1905 discovery of contaminated milk as the vector for transmission into humans of brucellosis (B. melitensis) present in the blood of the goat – greatly contributed to the elimination from the islands of undulant fever, earning him the knighthood.

Author of several literary works in the Maltese language, Temi Zammit was conferred the DLitt Honoris Causa by Oxford University. He also published a History of the Maltese Islands and excavated important archaeological sites, such as the Hypogeum and the megalithic Tarxien Temples, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, which have since been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

[edit] Legacy

Sir Temi's scientific approach to archaeology further enhanced his international reputation. Long after his death at the age of 71, interest continues to be generated around Malta's cultural heritage by the excavations and the artifacts he unearthed.^{[citation needed]}

A permanent display of some of his findings may be viewed at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

The main Assembly Hall of the University of Malta was in named after him.