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UNKNOWN PATTERNS ON THE STONES OF MALTESE MEGALITHIC TEMPLES

V. Seglins, A. Kukela, B. Lazdina

First published: 2019https://doi.org/10.5593/SWS.ISCAH.2019.1/S07.024View metrics

Abstract

Maltese megalithic temples are well known in the world as an outstanding prehistoric cultural heritage. Many of these ancient sites nowadays are included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. These temple complexes have been built over a wide period of time - between ca. 3600 BC and 700 BC. They have been archaeologically studied several times and the most important temples have been reconstructed, which allows describing the prehistory of Malta rather completely. The significant value of these temples is in their remarkable dimensions, which allow these temples to be identified as building complexes. Almost all of these ancient temples were built in several stages and the traces of creation and reconstruction of these temples already in prehistoric times are still recognizable. It allows us to study and analyse in detail the results of local innovation in a process of cultural evolution. However, much less attention so far has been paid to the stone material used in the construction of Malta's megalithic temple complexes. Our study performs an examination of individual elements in two megalithic temples of Ggantija historical phase – Mnajdra and Ggantija temples. Current research enabled us to identify even more ancient stone material used in the construction of the Ggantija temple. In turn, the studies at Mnajdra temple revealed peculiar ornament formed of decorative drilled holes on the surface of the megalithic stones recognizable as well-developed pattern design.

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Publication details

Title
UNKNOWN PATTERNS ON THE STONES OF MALTESE MEGALITHIC TEMPLES
Authors
V. Seglins, A. Kukela, B. Lazdina
Proceedings
6th SWS International Scientific Conference on Arts and Humanities ISCAH 2019
Publisher
STEF92 Technology
Year
2019
Pages
175-182
SWS Citekey
Seglins20197175182
ISSN
2682-9940
ISBN
978-619-7408-90-4
Language
en
Publication type
Proceedings Paper
Keywords
prehistorystone processingdrilled decorationMnajdra templeGgantija temple
References5

  1. Themistocles Z., The Prehistoric Temples of Malta and Gozo, S Masterson, 1997, pp 152;

  2. Trump D. H., Malta: An Archaeological Guide, Faber & Faber, 1975, pp 159;

  3. Stroud K., Stroud K., Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Prehistoric Temples: Qrendi. Insight Heritage Guides, Heritage Books, 2010, pp 5-23;

  4. Internet material: Archives of the Parliament of Malta. Available at: https://www.parlament.mt/media/75923/02190a.pdf

  5. Seglins V., Kukela A., Lazdina B., Signs of megaliths in the environs of Elva and Evora in Portugal. In: Proceedings of the 18th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM2018, Bulgaria, vol. 18, issue 6.4., pp 805-812, 2018.

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