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{{Short description|Archaeological complex in Malta}}
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
| WHS = Megalithic Temples of Malta: ], ], ], ], ], Tarxien.
{{Infobox ancient site
| Image = ]
|name = Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex
| State Party = {{MLT}}
|alternate_name =
| Type = Cultural
|image = Malta - Tarxien - Triq it-Tempji Neolitici - Temples 26 ies.jpg
| Criteria = iv
|alt =
| ID = 132
|caption = Entrance to the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex
| Region = ]
|map_type = Malta
| Year = 1980
|map_size = 250
| Session = 4th
|relief = yes
| Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/132
|map_caption = location in Malta
|latd =
|latm =
|lats =
|latNS =
|longd =
|longm =
|longs =
|longEW =
|coordinates = {{coord|35|52|9|N|14|30|43|E|type:landmark}}
|location = ], ]
|region =
|type = Temple
|length =
|width =
|area =
|height =
|builder =
|material = ]
|built = c.3250 BC–c.2800 BC
|abandoned =
|epochs = ]
|cultures =
|dependency_of =
|occupants =
|event =
|excavations = 1915, 1963
|archaeologists = ]
|condition = Well-preserved ruins
|ownership = ]
|management = ]
|public_access = Yes
|website = {{URL|http://heritagemalta.org/museums-sites/tarxien-temples/|Heritage Malta}}
|notes = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| child = yes
| part_of = ]
| criteria = {{UNESCO WHS type|(iv)}}(iv)
| ID = 132ter-006
| year = 1980
| extension = 1992, 2015
| area = {{convert|0.807|ha|sqft|abbr=on}}
| buffer_zone = {{convert|11|ha|sqmi|abbr=on}}
}}
}} }}
The '''Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex''' ({{langx|mt|Il-kumpless Preistoriku ta' Ħal Tarxien}}, {{IPA-mt|tɐrˈʃɪːn|Maltese pronunciation:}}) is an archaeological complex in ], within the ] of ]. They date to approximately 3400 BC.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tarxien Temple|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/00046.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402143902/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/00046.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands|access-date=14 September 2015|date=30 March 2012}}</ref> The site was accepted as a ] in 1992 along with ] on the island of Malta.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/132 |title=Megalithic Temples of Malta - UNESCO World Heritage Centre |newspaper=unesco |access-date= 30 December 2016}}</ref>

The '''Tarxien Temples''' ({{IPA2|ˈtarʃi.ɛn|Maltese pronunciation:}}) are an archaeological complex in ], ]. They date back to approximately 2800 BC. The site was accepted as a ] in 1980 along with ] on the island of Malta.


==Description== ==Description==
The Tarxien consist of three separate, but attached, temple structures. The main entrance is a reconstruction dating from 1956, when the whole site was restored. At the same time, many of the decorated slabs discovered on site were relocated indoors for protection at the Museum of Archaeology in ]. The first temple has been dated to approximately 3100 BC and is the most elaborately decorated of the temples of Malta. The middle temple dates to about 3000 BC, and is unique in that, unlike the rest of the Maltese temples, it has three pairs of ]s instead of the usual two. The east temple is dated at around 3100 BC. The remains of another temple, smaller, and older, having been dated to 3250 BC, are visible further towards the east.<ref name="desc">{{cite web | last =Cilia | first =Daniel | title =Tarxien | work =The Megalithic temples of Malta | date =]-] | url =http://web.infinito.it/utenti/m/malta_mega_temples/tarxien/tarxien.html | accessdate =2007-07-07}}</ref> The Tarxien Complex consist of four different structures. At the same time, many of the decorated slabs discovered on site were relocated indoors for protection at the ] in ]. The first structure is home to some of the most elaborate and impressive decorations of the Maltese Neolithic. It's main entrance is a reconstruction dating from 1956. The central structure, and is unique in that, unlike other contemporary sites, it has six chambers in total. The Eastern Structure suffered severe alteration during the Roman period resulting in its strange shape. The remains of another structure, smaller, and older than the others is visible further towards the east.<ref name="desc">{{cite web | last =Cilia | first =Daniel | title =Tarxien | work =The Megalithic temples of Malta | date =2004-04-08 | url =http://web.infinito.it/utenti/m/malta_mega_temples/tarxien/tarxien.html | access-date =2007-07-07}}</ref>


Of particular interest at the temple site is the rich and intricate ], which includes depictions of domestic animals carved in ], ]s, and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns. Demonstrative of the skill of the builders is a chamber set into the thickness of the wall between the South and Central temples and containing a relief showing a bull and a sow.<ref name="heritage">{{cite web | title =Tarxien Temples | publisher =The National Agency for Museums, Conservation Practice and Cultural Heritage | date =2003 | url =http://www.heritagemalta.org/tarxientemples.html | accessdate =2007-07-07}}</ref> Of particular interest at this site is the rich and intricate ], which includes depictions of domestic animals carved in ], ]s, and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns. Demonstrative of the skill of the builders is a chamber set into the thickness of the wall between the South and Central temples and containing a relief showing a bull and a sow.<ref name="heritage">{{cite web | title =Tarxien Temples | publisher =The National Agency for Museums, Conservation Practice and Cultural Heritage | year =2003 | url =http://www.heritagemalta.org/tarxientemples.html | access-date =2007-07-07 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070629050847/http://www.heritagemalta.org/tarxientemples.html | archive-date =2007-06-29 }}</ref>


===Function in prehistory=== ===Function in prehistory===
While in past decades more ritualistic and religious interpretations were favoured (such as references to the site and other contemporary to it as 'temples', today caution is exercised regarding the classification of the structure. Our uncertainty about several aspects of the Neolithic way of life in Malta means that we cannot completely sure that our interpretation is a correct one. However one thing is for certain, that these buildings would have had a communal significance and would have likely been locations for Neolithic communities to gather.
Excavation of the site reveals that it was used extensively for rituals, which probably involved ]. Especially interesting is that Tarxien provides rare insight into how the megaliths were constructed: stone rollers were left outside the South temple. Additionally, evidence of ] has been found at the center of the South temple, which is an indicator that the site was reused as a ] cremation cemetery.<ref name="heritage"/>
During the Early Bronze Age, the site was re-used as a ] cemetery as shown by the great amount of ashes and human remains that were discovered here during the site's excavation.


==Discovery and history== ==Discovery and history==
], 1915]]
]
The large stone blocks were discovered in 1914 by local farmers ploughing a field.<ref name="heritage"/> After the accidental discovery of the nearby ] in 1913, the proprietor of the land underneath which the temples were buried figured that the large stones that were continually struck by workers' ploughs may also have had some archaeological value. On that notion, he contacted the director of the National Museum, ], who began to dig even on his first inspection of the site, where he discovered the center of the temple compound. It was not long before Zammit found himself standing in what appeared to be an apse formed by a semicircle of enormous hewn stones. Over the course of three years, Zammit enlisted the help of local farmers and townspeople for an excavation project of unprecedented scale in Malta. By 1920, Zammit had identified and carried out restoration work on five separate but interconnected temples, all yielding a remarkable collection of artifacts, including the famous "fat lady" statue (a representation of a ] or a ] charm), and several unique examples of prehistoric relief.<ref name="temi">{{cite web | title = Themistocles Zammit | publisher =allmalta.com | work= Maltese History and Folklore | url =http://www.allmalta.com/folklore/p_039.html | accessdate =2007-07-07}}</ref> Further excavations at the temples were conducted in the post-World War II period under the directorship of Dr. ]. The site was initially reported by the tenant of the land, Lorenzo Despott, who complained of frequently encountering large blocks of stone just beneath the surface while plowing his field. <ref name="heritage"/> Suspecting that the stones he was encountering may have some archaeological value, Despott contacted the director of the National Museum, ], who instructed him to dig a trial trench in 1913. Upon excavation, several large stone were revealed and the pottery found was undoubtedly prehistoric. Thus, Temi Zammit began a formal excavation of the site in 1915, a campaign which would last till 1919. Over the course of four years, Zammit enlisted the help of local farmers and townspeople for an excavation project of unprecedented scale in Malta. By 1920, Zammit had identified and carried out restoration work on four prehistoric structures, all yielding a remarkable collection of artifacts, including the famous colossal statue, the largest human (although seemingly genderless) representation from the Neolithic found to date.


A small sample of artefacts from the site were donated by Zammit in 1923 to the ].<ref></ref> The site was included in the Antiquities List of 1925.<ref>{{cite web|title=Protection of Antiquities Regulations 21st November, 1932 Government Notice 402 of 1932, as Amended by Government Notices 127 of 1935 and 338 of 1939.|url=https://www.mepa.org.mt/file.aspx?f=2627|website=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419101304/https://www.mepa.org.mt/file.aspx?f=2627|archive-date=19 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Further excavations at the site were conducted during post-World War II period under the directorship of ].
==Significance==
The discovery of the complex did much to further Malta's national identity, solidly confirming the existence of a thriving ancient culture on the island. Also, the general interest aroused by the finds engendered for the first time a public concern for the protection of Malta's historical treasures, including a need for management of the sites, the promulgation of laws, and other measures to protect and preserve monuments. At the same time, Sir Zammit's thorough method in excavating the site paved the way for a new scientific approach to ].<ref name="temi"/>


Protective tent-like shelters, similar to those at ] and ], were built around the Tarxien Temples in 2015,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ameen|first1=Juan|title=Tarxien megalithic temples to get Ħaġar Qim treatment|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100924/local/tarxien-megalithic-temples-to-get-hagar-qim-treatment.328259|access-date=3 June 2015|work=]|date=24 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Milestone in work on new temples shelter|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150603/local/milestone-in-work-on-new-temples-shelter.570866|access-date=3 June 2015|work=]|date=3 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Temple tent|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150829/local/temple-tent.582303|access-date=29 August 2015|work=]|date=29 August 2015}}</ref> and were completed in December of that year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Protective tent over Tarxien Temples completed|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151221/local/protective-tent-over-tarxien-temples-completed.596507|work=]|date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222005205/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151221/local/protective-tent-over-tarxien-temples-completed.596507|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>
==External links==
]
{{commons cat|Tarxien Temples}}
*
*
* select from the drop-down menu
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==Significance==
<span id="coordinates" class="plainlinksneverexpand">
The discovery of the complex did much to further Malta's ], solidly confirming the existence of a thriving ancient culture on the island. Also, the general interest aroused by the finds engendered for the first time a public concern for the protection of Malta's historical treasures, including a need for management of the sites, the promulgation of laws, and other measures to protect and preserve monuments. At the same time, Themistocles' thorough method in excavating the site paved the way for a new scientific approach to archaeology.<ref name="temi">{{cite web|title=Themistocles Zammit|url=http://www.allmalta.com/folklore/p_039.html|website=allmalta.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227081041/http://www.allmalta.com/folklore/p_039.html|archive-date=27 February 2013}}</ref>
]: {{coord|35|52|15.6|N|14|30|45.4|E|type:landmark}}
</span>


==See also== ==Gallery==
{{gallery
|width=160 | height=170
|align=center
|File:Entrance to apses of the Central Temple, Tarxien Temples.jpg
|The entrance to the two top apses of the Tarxien Temples.
|File:Altar in the Southwestern Tarxien Temple.jpg
|Altar in the southwestern Tarxien Temple.
|File:Malta Hal Tarxien BW 2011-10-04 12-41-17.JPG
|A relief showing goats and rams in one of the temples at Tarxien.
|File:Tarxien Temples Malta - Tarxien South Temple (Doorway).jpg
|View into the ''South Temple'' through the trilithon doorway reconstructed in the 1950s.
|File:Bowl in the Central Tarxien Temple.jpg
|A bowl in the central Tarxien Temple.
}}
{{Clear}}


==See also==
*] *]
{{Clear}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links==
]
{{Commons category|Tarxien Temples}}
]
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*
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{{European megaliths}}
{{Authority control}}

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Latest revision as of 16:59, 10 December 2024

Archaeological complex in Malta

Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex
Entrance to the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex
Tarxien Temples is located in MaltaTarxien Templeslocation in Malta
LocationTarxien, Malta
Coordinates35°52′9″N 14°30′43″E / 35.86917°N 14.51194°E / 35.86917; 14.51194
TypeTemple
History
MaterialLimestone
Foundedc.3250 BC–c.2800 BC
PeriodsTarxien phase
Site notes
Excavation dates1915, 1963
ArchaeologistsThemistocles Zammit
ConditionWell-preserved ruins
OwnershipGovernment of Malta
ManagementHeritage Malta
Public accessYes
WebsiteHeritage Malta
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Part ofMegalithic Temples of Malta
CriteriaCultural: (iv)
Reference132ter-006
Inscription1980 (4th Session)
Extensions1992, 2015
Area0.807 ha (86,900 sq ft)
Buffer zone11 ha (0.042 sq mi)

The Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex (Maltese: Il-kumpless Preistoriku ta' Ħal Tarxien, Maltese pronunciation: [tɐrˈʃɪːn]) is an archaeological complex in Tarxien, within the Port region of Malta. They date to approximately 3400 BC. The site was accepted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 along with the other Megalithic temples on the island of Malta.

Description

The Tarxien Complex consist of four different structures. At the same time, many of the decorated slabs discovered on site were relocated indoors for protection at the Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. The first structure is home to some of the most elaborate and impressive decorations of the Maltese Neolithic. It's main entrance is a reconstruction dating from 1956. The central structure, and is unique in that, unlike other contemporary sites, it has six chambers in total. The Eastern Structure suffered severe alteration during the Roman period resulting in its strange shape. The remains of another structure, smaller, and older than the others is visible further towards the east.

Of particular interest at this site is the rich and intricate stonework, which includes depictions of domestic animals carved in relief, altars, and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns. Demonstrative of the skill of the builders is a chamber set into the thickness of the wall between the South and Central temples and containing a relief showing a bull and a sow.

Function in prehistory

While in past decades more ritualistic and religious interpretations were favoured (such as references to the site and other contemporary to it as 'temples', today caution is exercised regarding the classification of the structure. Our uncertainty about several aspects of the Neolithic way of life in Malta means that we cannot completely sure that our interpretation is a correct one. However one thing is for certain, that these buildings would have had a communal significance and would have likely been locations for Neolithic communities to gather. During the Early Bronze Age, the site was re-used as a cremation cemetery as shown by the great amount of ashes and human remains that were discovered here during the site's excavation.

Discovery and history

Excavation of the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex. Photo by Themistocles Zammit, 1915

The site was initially reported by the tenant of the land, Lorenzo Despott, who complained of frequently encountering large blocks of stone just beneath the surface while plowing his field. Suspecting that the stones he was encountering may have some archaeological value, Despott contacted the director of the National Museum, Themistocles Zammit, who instructed him to dig a trial trench in 1913. Upon excavation, several large stone were revealed and the pottery found was undoubtedly prehistoric. Thus, Temi Zammit began a formal excavation of the site in 1915, a campaign which would last till 1919. Over the course of four years, Zammit enlisted the help of local farmers and townspeople for an excavation project of unprecedented scale in Malta. By 1920, Zammit had identified and carried out restoration work on four prehistoric structures, all yielding a remarkable collection of artifacts, including the famous colossal statue, the largest human (although seemingly genderless) representation from the Neolithic found to date.

A small sample of artefacts from the site were donated by Zammit in 1923 to the British Museum. The site was included in the Antiquities List of 1925. Further excavations at the site were conducted during post-World War II period under the directorship of J.G. Baldacchino.

Protective tent-like shelters, similar to those at Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, were built around the Tarxien Temples in 2015, and were completed in December of that year.

Protective tent around the site
Protective tent around the site

Significance

The discovery of the complex did much to further Malta's national identity, solidly confirming the existence of a thriving ancient culture on the island. Also, the general interest aroused by the finds engendered for the first time a public concern for the protection of Malta's historical treasures, including a need for management of the sites, the promulgation of laws, and other measures to protect and preserve monuments. At the same time, Themistocles' thorough method in excavating the site paved the way for a new scientific approach to archaeology.

Gallery

  • The entrance to the two top apses of the Tarxien Temples. The entrance to the two top apses of the Tarxien Temples.
  • Altar in the southwestern Tarxien Temple. Altar in the southwestern Tarxien Temple.
  • A relief showing goats and rams in one of the temples at Tarxien. A relief showing goats and rams in one of the temples at Tarxien.
  • View into the South Temple through the trilithon doorway reconstructed in the 1950s. View into the South Temple through the trilithon doorway reconstructed in the 1950s.
  • A bowl in the central Tarxien Temple. A bowl in the central Tarxien Temple.

See also

References

  1. "Tarxien Temple" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 30 March 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  2. "Megalithic Temples of Malta - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". unesco. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  3. Cilia, Daniel (8 April 2004). "Tarxien". The Megalithic temples of Malta. Retrieved 7 July 2007.
  4. ^ "Tarxien Temples". The National Agency for Museums, Conservation Practice and Cultural Heritage. 2003. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 7 July 2007.
  5. British Museum collection
  6. "Protection of Antiquities Regulations 21st November, 1932 Government Notice 402 of 1932, as Amended by Government Notices 127 of 1935 and 338 of 1939". Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016.
  7. Ameen, Juan (24 September 2010). "Tarxien megalithic temples to get Ħaġar Qim treatment". Times of Malta. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  8. "Milestone in work on new temples shelter". Times of Malta. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  9. "Temple tent". Times of Malta. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  10. "Protective tent over Tarxien Temples completed". Times of Malta. 21 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015.
  11. "Themistocles Zammit". allmalta.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2013.

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