Prehistoric Malta

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Man first arrived in Malta around 5200 BC, probably from Sicily (about 100km/60 miles to the north), and mainly formed farming and fishing communities. What survives of this community are the fragments of carved statuettes emphasising female characteristics as a fertility cult. With all the modern technology available to researchers and archaeologists, little more is known of this prehistoric civilization which remains shrouded in mystery.

The Temple Period, one of the most important periods of Malta’s history, started around 3600 BC. There are more than fifty sites in Malta, the largest concentration of prehistoric remains in such a small area.

The Ġgantija (giant stones) prehistoric temple in Gozo is the oldest free-standing building in the world. Many of Malta’s temples are in the form of five semicircular rooms connected at the centre which might have represented the head, arms and legs of a goddess, since one of the commonest kinds of statue found in these temples is a fat woman — a symbol of fertility. The Temple period lasted until about 2500 BC, when the civilization that raised these huge monoliths (slabs) seems to have disappeared. Many wonder whether they were completely wiped out or absorbed by new waves of immigrants.

The vast temple-complex at Tarxien is the most complete single monument belonging to any one particular Maltese prehistoric culture. There are three structures, built in different periods, yet all linked. The most elaborately carved examples of decoration anywhere in Malta and Gozo, carved in semi-high relief on stone were found in this complex along with the base and lower part of a colossal figure thought to represent the fertility goddess. Excavations have proved that animal sacrifice formed part of the religion of the time.

The Hypogeum in Paola is a unique series of underground burial chambers carved out of solid rock covering 500 square meters at three levels and consisting of halls, chambers and passages dating to different periods from 3600 to 3000BC, the deepest being 10.6 meters under the road surface. This deep structure contains cut features such as a speaking chamber, a large well and a holy of holies surrounded by chambers for religious leaders. When discovered it contained a large amount of human remains. Besides carvings and wall paintings, ornaments such as beads and jewellery, small carved animals and larger figurines were found here.

The Ħaġar Qim (Sacred Stones) Temple complex located near Qrendi sits on a rocky plateau, surrounded by dramatic cliffs. The complex is of major importance in the history of local temple-architecture because of certain structural features which were introduced here for the first time. Globigerina limestone is used throughout; the lower slabs of the outer wall, as well as the blocks of the internal chamber are dressed and rows of stones were corbelled (1) to eventually meet in the centre forming a ceiling. There are also several beautifully decorated altars and niches.

Hagar Qim is at its best at dawn or sunset when the stones become tinged pink and gold. Hagar Qim is fenced off and locked at these hours however visitors can still go and enjoyr this beautiful scene.

Mnajdra temple lies about a quarter of a mile away from Haġar Qim. Michael Ellul points out that here the stone slabs are neatly dressed and carefully jointed. Some of the stones in the chambers are corbelled to achieve a rounded effect as at Haġar Qim. Mnajdra is oriented astronomically to be aligned with the rising sun during solstices and equinoxes.

As you wander in awe around these temples, try to imagine how the Neolithic people managed to carry and place such massive blocks of stone with such precision to build such impressive and sophisticated structures. Some of the chambers are decorated with plant or spiral patterns. Other features include holes to fit wooden bars at entrances, and holes in the ground, possibly to pour down offerings to Mother Nature. An ancient model of one of the temples shows it as having been covered.

These buildings were at the very heart of daily existence, not a religious temple that was only visited once or twice a year. Today, we have different buildings for each function home, work, education, food distribution etc, but that wasn’t the case at the time of the prehistoric cultures that erected these sites.

Many of Malta’s temples have been given the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta houses a unique collection of prehistoric artefacts, including the famous fat lady statuettes (believed to be the Goddess of Fertility of the Neolithic people) and Venus de Malta figurines found at Hagar Qim.

(1) dressing: stone was cut using hammers made of harder stone. This left the slabs of stone looking very rough, so they were smoothed out.
(2) Corbelled: the technique used to create a ceiling was to have the next layer or course jutting further out than the one below it. Eventually, at the top the stones met and then you had a ceiling. This can easily be seen and understood at the Hypogeum.

Michael Busuttil

NOTE
1. Corbelled: the technique used to create a ceiling was to have each layer or course of stone laid extending further out than the one below it. Eventually, at the top the stones met to close the ceiling. This technique can easily be understood at the Hypogeum and can still be seen in the structure of the traditional girna. It is not unique to Malta but can be seen around the Mediterranean, one notable example being the ‘trulli’ of Alberobello, Puglia, Italy.

REFERENCES
Malta : Prehistory and Temples : David H. Trump
Interview with Dr Reuben Grima, Archaeologist: http://www.viewfromthepier.com/2009/10/28/reuben-grima-malta/
The Prehistoric Temples at Kordin III: Nicholas C. Vella
Heritage of an Island: Michael Ellul
Covering a total of about 5,400 square meters with a level extending down about 35 feet,