Tour Guide, Malta, Malta
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Malta has a set of Megalithic temples. Some of them are UNESCO world heritage sites. Rumoured to have built around 3000 to 4000 BCE. That makes the temples older than the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge in England. Let’s dive in together as we name our temples in Malta and Gozo.
Tarxien Temples
Discovered in 1914 by a local farmer, this was an accidental discovery as the farmer was plowing his field. The farmer contacted archaeologist Themistocles Zammit and more digging began. Zammit discovered enormous stones. In 1920, Zammit carried more restoration of five unconnected temples along with the fat lady, the mother goddess of fertility.
Today, there are protective tents to shelter the precious stones from the elements.
Mnajdra
Mnajdra Temples are 500 meters distance from Hagar Qim. The upper temple is the oldest structure in Mnajdra and dates to Gganitija phase 3600–3200 BCE. The Middle temple was built around 3150–2500 BCE and it looks like it had a ceiling. Yet only the base remains.
Ggantija Temples
Believed to be the oldest temples dating back to 3600–2500 BCE. These temples in Gozo make them 5500 years old; the oldest temples after Gobekli Tepe in Turkey. Like the other temples, it faces southeast of the island in Xaghra. It also believed the temple had a ceiling. Animal bones were found was it suspected they were offered as a sacrifice.
Hagar Qim Temples
Hagar Qim Temples are located two kilometres from the villages of Qrendi and Siggiewi. It also dating back between 3200–3200 BCE and built with globigerina limestone which is the second oldest rock in Malta. The temple shows associations with fertility rituals. The alter with concave top shows it was used for animal sacrifice as bones were found. Built-in three stages, beginning with the old temple, northern apse and the new temple.
Ta Hagrat Temples
Ta Hagrat Temples are in Mgarr they date back to 3600–3200. They are one kilometre away from the Ta’ Skorba temples. Built with Coralline limestone, the oldest rock in the island and divided as follows: the small temple and the main one on the northern side.
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