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Tarxien Temples

Tarxien temples were discovered in 1914 by local farmers who struck
large stone blocks while ploughing a field. Their discovery was reported
to Sir Temistocles Zammit, Malta’s first director of museums, who
excavated the site in 1915-17. His pioneering work was to put an
understanding of Maltese prehistory and its chronology on a solid
scientific basis.

This unique group of temples, dating from 3150 to 2500 BC, are the most
complex of all temples in Malta. They comprise four temple units linked
by a square court. They were the last to be built on the Islands. Their
skilful construction and the elaborate design and workmanship suggest
that the temple builders had gained considerable expertise over the
millennia since the first phase of megalithic construction. The temples
are renowned for the detail of their carvings, which include stone
idols, domestic animals carved in relief, and altars and screens
decorated with spiral designs and other patterns. Of particular note is
the chamber set into a thick wall, which is famous for its reliefs of
two bulls and a sow.

The site seems to have been used extensively for rituals, which probably
involved animal sacrifice. Tarxien is also of great interest because it
offers an insight into how the temples were constructed: stone rollers
left outside the south temple were probably used for transporting the
megaliths. Remains of cremation have also been found here, which
indicates that the site was reused by later Bronze Age settlers
(2400-1500 BC).

For site opening times, see Visiting <visiting.html>.

THE BOV TARXIEN TEMPLES PROJECT

On the 23 September 2003, an agreement was signed between Bank of
Valletta p.l.c. (BOV) and Heritage Malta, whereby BOV committed itself
to provide funds for the conservation and presentation of the Tarxien
Temples.

Read the Draft Outline Proposal for Public Consultation
<Tarxien%20Public.pdf>

<http://www.bov.com>

<http://www.maltalinks.com>