The earliest evidence of items made in Malta goes back to the very first inhabitants of our Islands. Beyond the remains of buildings and temples, one finds a large variety of artefacts made from whatever materials were at hand. These include tools, implements, sundries and weapons crafted from animal bones and skin, wood, stone, flint, earthenware and eventually metal. Archaeology and the written record also shed light on other aspects of Malta-made products such as textiles, oils, wines, and a wide range of commodities and consumables. The size of the islands, limited natural / mineral resources, and the lack of several basic raw materials, compelled the locals to rely on the importation of goods from other areas within the Mediterranean and beyond. This was facilitated by Malta's geographicalposition and its establishment as an optimal trading post by the many successive foreign colonial powers in governance here. Despite the passage of time, most of the items available in 21st century Malta are still obtained from abroad. Similarly, most of the products made here are elaborated from imported raw materials. In this section of our virtual museum we shall be portraying the development of Maltese manufacturing industry through artefacts held in our collection while shedding some light on local importers and their respective merchandise.
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