The Skorba temples, located on the northern edge of Żebbiegħ in Malta, stand as a testament to the island’s rich Neolithic culture. Despite their less preserved state compared to other megalithic sites like Ħaġar Qim and Tarxien, the Skorba temples offer invaluable insights into the prehistoric era of Malta. Excavated in the early 1960s by David H. Trump, this site has filled significant gaps in our understanding of Maltese Neolithic society, thanks to the application of modern archaeological methods.
Megalithic Structures
Megalithic structures, monumental in both size and historical significance, have captivated the human imagination for millennia. These ancient constructions, primarily built during the Neolithic to the early Bronze Age, around 4000 BC to 2500 BC, are found across various parts of the world, from the windswept plains of Europe to the rugged landscapes of Asia. The term “megalith” itself is derived from the Ancient Greek words ‘megas’, meaning great, and ‘lithos’, meaning stone, aptly describing the sheer size and weight of these structures.
The Purpose Behind Erecting Megaliths
The functions of megalithic structures have been a subject of extensive study and debate among historians and archaeologists. While the exact purposes vary across different cultures and geographical locations, several common uses have been identified. Many megaliths are believed to have served as burial sites, with dolmens and passage graves providing a final resting place for the deceased. This funerary aspect suggests a reverence for the dead and possibly beliefs in an afterlife. In addition to their role as burial sites, some megalithic structures are thought to have had astronomical significance. The precise alignment of stones with celestial events, such as the solstices and equinoxes, points to an advanced understanding of the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. Stonehenge, perhaps the most famous megalithic structure, exemplifies this astronomical alignment, with its stones positioned to mark the summer and winter solstices.
Architectural Techniques and Construction Challenges
The construction of megalithic structures is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient societies. The transportation and erection of massive stones, some weighing several tons, would have required not only physical strength but also sophisticated engineering techniques. Theories on how these ancient peoples accomplished such feats include the use of wooden rollers, sledges, and lever systems. The construction of megaliths likely also demanded a high degree of social organization and communal effort, indicating a well-structured society with the capability to mobilize large groups for collective projects.
Megaliths as Symbols of Collective Identity
Beyond their functional and astronomical significance, megalithic structures may have served as powerful symbols of collective identity and social cohesion. The monumental effort required to construct these megaliths suggests that they were of great importance to the communities that built them. They could have acted as landmarks, territorial markers, or centers for social and religious gatherings, playing a central role in the cultural and spiritual life of the society.
Megalithic Sites around the world
Tas-Silġ
Tas-Silġ, a rounded hilltop located on the south-east coast of Malta, near the town of Żejtun and overlooking Marsaxlokk Bay, stands as a testament to the island’s rich and diverse historical past. This site encapsulates a broad spectrum of historical periods, spanning from the Neolithic era to the ninth century AD. Its archaeological significance is underscored by the remnants of a megalithic temple complex dating back to the early third millennium BC, a Phoenician and Punic sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Astarte, and its later transformation into a Roman religious complex dedicated to Juno.
Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples
The Ta’ Ħaġrat temples, located in the village of Mġarr, Malta, stand as a testament to the architectural and cultural achievements of prehistoric societies. These temples are part of a group of megalithic structures that have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, underscoring their global importance as some of the world’s oldest religious sites.
Almendres Cromlech
The Cromlech of the Almendres, situated in the Alentejo region of Portugal, stands as a significant testament to the megalithic architecture that flourished in the Iberian Peninsula during the Neolithic period. This archaeological site, located near the village of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, Évora, is recognized as the largest group of structured menhirs in the Iberian Peninsula and ranks among the largest in Europe. The site encompasses a complex of cromlechs and menhir stones, integral to the “megalithic universe of Évora,” and shares similarities with other cromlechs in the Évora District, such as Portela Mogos and the Vale Maria do Meio Cromlech.
Tarxien Temples
The Tarxien Temples, located in Tarxien, Malta, represent a significant archaeological complex that dates back to approximately 3150 BC. These temples were recognized for their historical and cultural importance in 1992 when they were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside other Megalithic temples on the island.
The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni
The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni, located in Paola, Malta, is a significant archaeological site dating back to the Saflieni phase (3300 – 3000 BC) of Maltese prehistory. This subterranean structure, often referred to simply as the Hypogeum, meaning “underground” in Greek, is believed to have served as both a sanctuary and a necropolis, housing the remains of over 7,000 individuals. It stands as a testament to the temple building culture of Malta, which also produced the Megalithic Temples and the Xagħra Stone Circle.