CELEBRATING THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY IN COMINO

Claire Fontaine in the Blue Lagoon, Comino

Today, we celebrate the World Environment Day and The Grandma and her friends have decided to visit Comino, one of the three Maltese islands, the smallest, the wildest and the island which is identified as an Important Bird Area.

Comino, in Maltese, Kemmuna, formerly called Ephaestia, is a small island of the Maltese archipelago between the islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea, measuring 3.5 square kilometres in area. Named after the cumin seed that once flourished in the Maltese islands, the island is the least densely populated area in the Republic of Malta. 

More information: Visit Malta

It has a permanent population of only three residents, following the death of the fourth resident in 2017. Administratively, it is part of the municipality of Għajnsielem, in southeastern Gozo. One priest and one policeman commute from the nearby island of Gozo. The island is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve.

Joseph de Ca'th lon in Comino, Malta

Comino is known to have been inhabited by farmers during Roman times, but for long periods in its history it has been sparsely populated, privately owned, or abandoned entirely. 

Its rugged coastline is delineated by sheer limestone cliffs, and dotted with deep caves which were popular with pirates and marauders in the Middle Ages. The caves and coves of Comino were frequently used as staging posts for raids on hapless boats crossing between Malta and Gozo. From 1285 until some time after 1290, Comino was the home of exiled Jewish Prophet and Kabbalist Abraham Abulafia. It was on Comino that Abulafia composed his Sefer ha-Ot, The Book of the Sign, and his last work, Imre Shefer, Words of Beauty.

More information: Hartman

In later years, the Knights of Malta used this island as hunting and recreational grounds. The Knights were fiercely protective of the local game, which consisted of wild boar and hares, in Maltese fenek tal-grixti, upon conviction, poachers were liable to a penalty of three years as a galley slave. 

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Comino served as a place of imprisonment or exile for errant knights. Knights who were convicted of minor crimes were occasionally sentenced to the lonely and dangerous task of manning St. Mary's Tower. During the French occupation of Malta, Comino served as a quarantine and existing buildings served as an isolation hospital.

The Grandma visits Saint Mary's Tower, Comino

Saint Mary's Tower is the most visible structure on the island. Its background dates back to 1416, when the Maltese petitioned their king, Alfonso V of Aragon, to build a tower on Comino to serve as an early warning system in case of invasion, and to deter marauding Turks, pirates, smugglers and corsairs from using Comino as a hiding place and staging ground for devastating sorties onto the sister islands of Malta and Gozo. Two years later the king levied a special tax on imported wine to raise funds for this project, but diverted the monies into his coffers; the island remained undefended for another two hundred years.

Finally, in 1618 the Knights of Malta under Grandmaster Wignacourt erected St Mary's Tower, in Maltese it-Torri ta' Santa Marija, located roughly in the center of the southern coast of the island. 

More information: Pinterest

The tower formed part of a chain of defensive towers, the Wignacourt, Lascaris, and De Redin towers, located at vantage points along the coastline of the Maltese Islands, and greatly improved communications between Malta and Gozo. The tower is a large, square building with four corner turrets, located about 80 m above sea level. The Tower itself is about 12 m tall, with walls that are approximately 6 m thick, and is raised on a platform and plinth that are approximately 8 mhigh.

During the French Blockade (1798–1800), St Mary's Tower served as a prison for suspected spies. In 1829 the British Military abandoned the site. 

Visiting St Mary's Tower in Comino

For several decades it was deemed to be property of the local civil authorities, and may have been used as an isolation hospital, or even as a wintering pen for farm animals. 

The tower again saw active service during both World War I and World War II. 

Since 1982 the tower has been the property of the Armed Forces of Malta. It now serves as a lookout and staging post to guard against contraband and the illegal hunting of migratory birds at sea. The tower underwent extensive restoration between 2002 and 2004. Today, it remains the most notable structure on Comino.

A tiny Roman Catholic chapel dedicated to the Holy Family Upon its Return from Egypt is located above Santa Marija Bay. Built in 1618, and enlarged in 1667 and again in 1716, the chapel was originally dedicated to the Annunciation. It has been deconsecrated and reconsecrated at least once in its history, when Comino was devoid of residents. 

The earliest record of a chapel on this site dates back to the 12th century, and can be seen in a navigational map of the period, located in the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.

 More information: Comino-A World Unto Itself

Tina Picotes at Santa Marija Chapel

In the past, and well into the 20th century, whenever the seas were too rough for the Gozitan priest to make the crossing to Comino for the celebration of Holy Mass, the local community would gather on the rocks at a part of the Island known as Tal-Ħmara, and gaze across the channel towards the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rocks, in Maltese il-Madonna tal-Blat, in Ħondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo, where Mass was being celebrated. They followed along with the progression of the Mass by means of a complex flag code.

The island has a karst landscape supporting sclerophyllous shrubland. Some limited afforestation with pine trees has been carried out. The sand-dunes at Santa Maria bay retain some native vegetation, including Vitex and Tamarix trees. The island has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports fifty to eighty breeding pairs of yelkouan shearwaters.

 More information: Bird Life

Between Comino and adjacent islet of Cominotto, in Maltese Kemmunett, lie the transparent, cyan waters of the Blue Lagoon, in Maltese Bejn il-Kmiemen, literally Between the Cominos. 

The Blue Lagoon is a picturesque bay with a white sandy base and rich marine life. It is popular with divers, snorkelers and swimmers. Other beaches on Comino include Santa Maria Bay, in Maltese Ramla ta' Santa Marija and St. Nicholas Bay, in Maltese Bajja San Niklaw.

 More information: Malta Guide

Try to leave the Earth a better place 

than when you arrived. 

Sidney Sheldon

SPECIAL POST! GUATEMALA: HELP, STRUGGLE & HOPE

Today, we have received terrible news from Guatemala. El Volcán de Fuego has erupted and the situation is dramatic. Guatemala needs international help now. We hope it arrives early and the inhabitants can be attended.

It's difficult to talk about tragedies, especially from the distance, but today, The Grandma wants to remember Maya Bond, a member of The Bonds who has a real and closer relationship with Guatemala. In her honour and in memory of all people who are suffering this terrible reaction of the Nature, we are going to reeditate Maya Bond's post, made by her, which was published in February 2 2017.

Here it is...

WELCOME TO GUATEMALA: HEART OF THE MAYAN WORLD

Let there be freedom for the Indians, 

wherever they may be in the American Continent 

or elsewhere in the world, because while they are alive, 

a glow of hope will be alive as well as a true concept of life. 

Rigoberta Menchu

Guatemala is located in Central America; we have the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic. And if you want cold you go north and if you want heat you go south. You'll always find that you want.

Maya Bond in El Mirador, Guatemala

Tikal. This is one of the wonderful places you can find in my country. This area is called La Gran Plaza and we can find the Gran Jaguar that they do not allow to climb to preserve it.

In Temple IV one feels an ant over the infinite canopy of jungle. A curiosity, right from this point were filmed scenes of the Star Wars (Episode IV), being the headquarters of the rebels in Yavin 4 (precisely 4), one of the habitable moons of the giant gas Yavin. Also appearing in Apocalypsis Mel Gibson's tape recorded in the year 2006.

More information: Visit Guatemala

The Volcán de Fuego. We can see it from the city and we are even an area where we constantly feel many earthquakes, as much for the activity of this one as for the Tectonic foult that we have, that are many.

Panajachel. Its full name is San Francisco Panajachel and is a city of approximately 11,000 inhabitants. it is located in the Guatemalan highlands on the shores of Lago de Atitlan at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. Volcanoes Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro in front of Lago de Atitlan.

Semuc Champey. To get here we have a long road of 5 hours that is worth it, but due to the bad condition of the roads it is impossible to arrive before.

More information: Guatemala by Maya Bond

Among the main languages of Guatemala we find: Itza, K'iche', Q'eqchi', Kaqchiquel, Mam, Poqomchi, Tz'utujil, Achí, Q'anjob'al, Ixil, Akateko, Chu, Ch'orti', Awakateco, Sakapulteko, Sipakapense, Uspanteko, Tektiteko, Mopan, Popti' and Chalchiteko.

Languages not Mayan: Garífuna, Xinca and Castilian.

El Mirador. There are no words to describe such a wonderful discovery, of which his first excavations were in 1983. As a curious fact, the pyramid exceeds 200,000 cubic meters to the Great Pyramid of Cheops in Giza.

The indigenous peoples never had, and still do not have, 

the place that they should have occupied 

in the progress and benefits of science and technology, 

although they represented an important basis for this development.

Rigoberta Menchu

THE MEGALITHIC TEMPLE OF MNAJDRA, QRENDI

L-Imnajdra Temple from the air

Claire Fontaine has already arrived to Malta. She has joined Tina Picotes, Joseph de Ca'th Lon and The Grandma in their searching of Corto Maltese. Claire, who is also a fan of history and ruins, has gone to L-Imnajdra temple directly where Tina, Joseph and The Grandma were waiting for her.

Mnajdra or L-Imnajdra is a megalithic temple complex found in Qrendi on the southern coast of the island. Mnajdra is approximately 500 metres from the Ħaġar Qim megalithic complex.

More information: Heritage Malta

Mnajdra was built around the fourth millennium BCE; the Megalithic Temples of Malta are among the most ancient religious sites on Earth, described by the World Heritage Sites committee as unique architectural masterpieces. 

Claire Fontaine in L-Imnajdra Temple

In 1992 UNESCO recognized the Mnajdra complex and four other Maltese megalithic structures as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 2009 work was completed on a protective tent.

Mnajdra is made of coralline limestone, which is much harder than the soft globigerina limestone of Ħaġar Qim. The main structural systems used in the temples are corbelling with smaller stones, and post and lintel construction using large slabs of limestone.

More information: UNESCO

The cloverleaf plan of Mnajdra appears more regular than that of Ħagar Qim, and seems reminiscent of the earlier complex at Ggantija. The prehistoric structure consists of three conjoined but not connected temples: the upper, middle and lower.

More information: Mnajdra Temples in 3D

The upper temple is the oldest structure in the Mnajdra complex and dates to the Ggantija phase (3600-3200 BC). It is a three-apsed building, the central apse opening blocked by a low screen wall. The pillar-stones were decorated with pitmarks drilled in horizontal rows on the inner surface.

The Grandma & Claire Fontaine in L-Imnajdra Temple

The middle temple was built, or possibly rebuilt, in the late Tarxien phase (3150-2500 BC), the main central doorway of which is formed by a hole cut into a large piece of limestone set upright, a type of construction typical of other megalithic doorways in Malta. 

This temple appears originally to have had a vaulted ceiling, but only the base of the ceiling now remain on top of the walls and, in fact, is the most recent structure. It is formed of slabs topped by horizontal courses.

The lowest temple, built in the early Tarxien phase, is the most impressive and possibly the best example of Maltese megalithic architecture. 

More information: Malta Culture Guide

It has a large forecourt containing stone benches, an entrance passage covered by horizontal slabs, one of which has survived, and the remains of a possibly domed roof. 

Joseph de Ca'th Lon & The Grandma at the Temple

The temple is decorated with spiral carvings and indentations, and pierced by windows, some into smaller rooms and one onto an arrangement of stones.

The lowest temple is astronomically aligned and thus was probably used as an astronomical observation and/or calendrical site. On the vernal and the autumnal equinox sunlight passes through the main doorway and lights up the major axis. On the solstices sunlight illuminates the edges of megaliths to the left and right of this doorway.

More information: Atlas Obscura

Although there are no written records to indicate the purpose of these structures, archaeologists have inferred their use from ceremonial objects found within them: sacrificial flint knives and rope holes that were possibly used to constrain animals for sacrifice, since various animal bones were found.

More information: World Monuments Fund

The Grandma inside the Megalithic Temple

These structures were not used as tombs since no human remains were found. The temples contain furniture such as stone benches and tables that give clues to their use. Many artifacts were recovered from within the temples suggesting that these temples were used for religious purposes, perhaps to heal illness and/or to promote fertility. 

Recent research shows that this was primarily a solar year calendar and astronomical observatory. The design, based on the principle of the camera obscura, was the result of long evolution from the earliest archaic design, such as the small unit at the site. 

More information: Malta Info Guide

The image of the sunrise was translated mathematically into a linear passage of days. In the archaic design this was done in the central apse which converted sinusoidal movement of the image of the sunrise on the horizon into a linear progression. 

In the evolved design the solstice stone translated sinusoidal movement into linear directly and more accurately. Besides calendric information, the later design was found to enable forecasting of the solstice date, and hour, with surprising accuracy.

The Grandma, Tina, Joseph & Claire at L-Imnajdra

The excavations of the Mnajdra temples were performed under the direction of J.G. Vance in 1840, one year after the discovery of Ħagar Qim. In 1871, James Fergusson designed the first plan of the megalithic structure. The plan was quite inaccurate and hence in 1901, Dr. Albert Mayr made the first accurate plan which was based on his findings.

In 1910, Dr. Thomas Ashby performed further investigations which resulted in the collection of the important archaeological material. Further excavations were performed in December 1949, in which two small statues, two large bowls, tools and one large spherical stone, which was probably used to move the temple's large stones, were discovered. The temple was included on the Antiquities List of 1925.

More information: Malta Uncovered

Mnajdra was vandalized on 13 April 2001, when at least three people armed with crowbars toppled or broke about 60 megaliths, and inscribed graffiti on them. The attack was called the worst act of vandalism ever committed on the island of Malta by UNESCO. 

The damage to the temples was initially considered irreparable, but they were restored using new techniques making it difficult to tell where the megaliths had been damaged. The temples were reopened to the public in 2002.

Download Report on Mission to the Mnajdra Megalithic Temple in Malta

Monuments and archaeological pieces serve as testimonies 
of man's greatness and establish a dialogue between civilizations
showing the extent to which human beings are linked. 

Vicente Fox

SAILING ACROSS 'THE BLUE GROTTO' WITH TINA PICOTES

Ready to visit the Blue Grotto

Tina Picotes has just arrived to Malta to join Joseph de Ca'th Lon and The Grandma in Corto Maltese's searching. Corto Maltese is a great sailor and the three friends have decided to sail along the Maltese coast and visit one of the most beautiful places around the world to look for new clues: The Blue Grotto.

The Blue Grotto, in Maltese Taħt il-Ħnejja, refers to a number of sea caverns on the south east coast of Malta, a short distance off the fishermen's harbour of Wied iż-Żurrieq limits of Qrendi.

The Blue Grotto is located on the southern coast of Malta, west of Wied iz-Zurrieq facing the little deserted islet of Filfla. The site got its name from a British soldier who thought that since the area looks like the Grotta Azzurra in Capri, it deserves the same name, and in fact Blue Grotto is the equivalent for Grotta Azzurra in English. 

More information: Malta Info Guide

The site is extremely popular, attracting some 100,000 tourists per year, also for diving purposes. The location of this fascinating natural grotto combines with sunlight and the surrounding chain of caves to reflect the phosphorescent colours of the submerged flora and the deep dark shade of blue of the sea.

The Grandma is arriving to the Blue Grotto

Wied iz-Zurrieq, the Blue Grotto and neighboring caves, are all located within the Qrendi village confines, as per Local Council Act 1993 and a 1910 legal dispute between the villages of Qrendi and Zurrieq over their jurisdiction, ruled in favour of Qrendi.

Some caves, including the Blue Grotto, which is the biggest cave in the area, can be reached by boat from Wied iz-Zurrieq, from where you can also enjoy superb views of Filfla and the surroundings. The water can be rough but the boatmen know the area well, so your safety is ensured.

More information: Pizza Travel

Both the Wied iz-Zurrieq harbor and Blue Grotto sea caves are located on the coastline right opposite to the small uninhabited islet of Filfla. The island now serves as a bird sanctuary.

Tina Picotes in the Blue Grotto

There is a massive arch (over 30m) and a system of sixcaves that were created by centuries of persistent action of the waves and the elements. 

The sky reflects the white sandy seabed, giving off a bright cobalt colour while the caves mirror the orange, purple and green off the minerals in the rocks. 

This particular spectacle of colours can be seen daily from sunrise until around one in the afternoon, and together with the white froth of the waves hitting the cliffs, the Blue Grotto presents exceptional photographic backgrounds.

The location of the caves, combined with the rays of sunlight, lead to the seawater mirroring and showing numerous shades of blue on the cave walls and ceilings.

More information: Pinterest

Several caverns also mirror the brilliant phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora and fauna, whilst other caverns show a deep dark shade of blue.

Joseph de Ca'th Lon is leaving the Blue Grotto

Underwater, different colors of red, mauve, green, orange and yellow give an impressive and most welcoming picture to its visitors.

The Blue Grotto is a popular destination for tourists to the island of Malta with boat trips visiting the caves running all days of the year, weather permitting.

Scuba diving on the Um El Faroud scuttled wreck with the locality, and snorkeling on the coastline walls, together with rock climbing, are the most popular activities practiced here.

A visit to the Blue Grotto is a must; however, the site can get extremely busy during summer. To enjoy the caves at their best, go early in the morning when the sun is lower in the sky and the sea is calmer. In case that the water’s too rough, or you don’t have enough time for a boat trip, there is a viewing platform on the road leading to site, where you can also enjoy this natural wonder.

More information: Viator

The sea, once it casts its spell, 

holds one in its net of wonder forever.

Jacques Yves Cousteau

HAL SAFLIENI HYPOGEUM, PREHISTORIC CAVES IN PAOLA

The Grandma & Joseph de Ca'th Lon at Hypogeum

After being astonished with the Sleeping Lady, Joseph de Ca'th Lon and The Grandma have visited the Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni in Paola, place where it was found.

Joseph is a great expert in History and Anthropology and The Grandma adores ruins and stones. It has been an interesting and amazing visit that has evocated them another place: The Prehistoric Mines of Gavà in El Baix Llobregat, Barcelona.

More information: Heritage Malta

The Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni is a Neolithic subterranean structure dating to the Saflieni phase (3300-3000 BC) in Maltese prehistory, located in Paola. It is often simply referred to as the Hypogeum, literally meaning underground in Greek. 

The Hypogeum is thought to have been a sanctuary and necropolis, with the remains of more than 7,000 individuals documented by archeologists, and is among the best preserved examples of the Maltese temple building culture that also produced the Megalithic Temples and Xagħra Stone Circle.

Joseph de Ca'th Lon in the Hypogeum

The Hypogeum was discovered by accident in 1902 when workers cutting cisterns for a new housing development broke through its roof. The workers tried to hide the temple at first, but eventually it was found. 

The study of the structure was first conducted by Manuel Magri, who directed the excavations on behalf of the Museums Committee, starting from November 1903. During the excavations, a portion of the contents of the Hypogeum, including grave goods and human remains, were emptied out and discarded without being properly catalogued. To confound things further, Magri died in 1907 while conducting missionary work in Tunisia and his report on the Hypogeum was lost.

Excavation continued under Sir Themistocles Zammit, who attempted to salvage what he could. Zammit began publishing a series of reports in 1910 and continued excavating until 1911, depositing his findings at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. The Hypogeum was first opened to visitors in 1908 while the excavations were ongoing.

The Grandma is contemplating History

Later archeological excavations indicate there was once a surface shrine that marked the entrance to the Hypogeum, with its subsequent destruction likely shielding the lower structure from discovery for thousands of years. 

The underground structure may have originated from a natural cave, expanded over time by cutting directly into the rock with crude tools including antlers, flint, chert and obsidian. Burial chambers in the upper level of the Hypogeum date from the early phases of the Maltese Temple Period, with lower chambers dating from later.

The site may have first been used as early as 4000 BC, and was likely used until around 2500 BC, based on pottery sample analysis and examination of human remains.

More information: UNESCO

The temple structure uses a careful direction of light from the surface to penetrate into the lower chambers, with intricate patterns painted on portions of the ceiling with red ocher, following motifs of spots, spirals and honeycombs.

Old memories in the Hypogeum

One of the main chambers, called The Holy of Holies, appears to be oriented such that light from the winter solstice illuminated its facade from the original opening above. A resonance niche cut in the middle chamber, called the Oracle Room, was possibly designed to project chanting or drumming throughout the rest of the Hypogeum.

A broad range of objects were recovered from the site, including intricately decorated pottery vessels, stone and clay beads, shell buttons, amulets, axe-heads, and carved figures depicting humans and animals. 

More information: Smitsonian

The most notable discovery was the Sleeping Lady, a clay figure thought to represent a mother goddess. The figures range from abstract to realistic in style, with major themes thought to be related to veneration of the dead and spiritual transformation. Complex artistic techniques are also represented, as in the case of a single large pottery bowl which utilized both naturalistic and stylized themes, with one side realistically depicting bovines, pigs and goats, and the other side representing hatched animals hidden within complex geometric patterns.

Joseph de Ca'th Lon in the Hypogeum

The remains of some 7,000 individuals were found in the Hypogeum, and though many of the bones were lost early in excavation, most of the skulls were deposited at the National Museum. 

A small percentage of the skulls have an abnormal cranial elongation, similar to priestly skulls from Ancient Egypt, fueling speculation about the people who occupied the Hypogeum, and their practices and beliefs.

More information: Malta Uncovered

The Hypogeum is constructed entirely underground and consists of three superimposed levels hewn into soft globigerina limestone, with its halls and chambers interconnected through a labyrinthine series of steps, lintels and doorways. 

Painting on the walls in the Hypogeum

The upper level is thought to have been occupied first, with the middle and lowers levels expanded and excavated later. Some of the middle chambers appear to share stylistic characteristics with the contemporaneous Megalithic Temples found across Malta.

The first level is only ten metres below the surface, and it is very similar to tombs found in Xemxija, near St. Paul's Bay. Some rooms are natural caves which were later artificially extended. This level consists of many chambers, some of which were used for burial.

The second level is a later expansion, with the rock hoisted up to the surface by Cyclopean rigging. This level features several noted rooms: Main Chamber, Oracle Room, Decorated Room and Holy of Holies.

The lower story contained no bones or offerings, only water. It strongly suggests storage, probably of grain.

More information: Atlas Obscura

Kliem ix-xih zomm fih.

 The words of the old man you should trust.

Maltese Proverb

VISITING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY

Arriving to the National Museum of Archaeology

Today, The Grandma has received a great surprised. Joseph de Ca'th Lon has arrived to Valetta to join her in her searching of Corto Maltese.

Joseph, a great expert in archaeology, has taken profit of his arrival to go to the National Museum of Archaeology with The Grandma to know the Maltese history, especially the Prehistorical age, and see the Sleeping Lady of Malta, a national treasure.

More information: Maltese History & Heritage

The National Museum of Archaeology is a Maltese museum of prehistoric artifacts, located in Valletta. It is managed by Heritage Malta.

The National Museum of Archaeology is housed in the Auberge de Provence, in Republic Street, Valletta. The building, an example of fine Baroque architecture, was built in 1571 and followed a plan by local architect Ġilormu Cassar, who directed the building of most important buildings in the early days of Valletta. The building’s façade is imprinted with Mannerist characteristics usually associated with Cassar.

The Auberge de Provence was house to the Knights of the Order of St John originating from Provence, and displays beautiful architectural features. Of particular note is the Grand Salon, with its richly painted walls and wooden beamed ceiling.

Memories of the Auberge during the WWII

The Auberge de Provence was opened as the National Museum in 1958 by Agatha Barbara, then the Minister of Education. 

The museum originally included the archaeological collection on the ground floor and fine arts on the first floor. The first curator was Captain Charles G. Zammit, the son of the eminent Maltese archaeologist Sir Themistocles Zammit.

The Grand Salon on the first floor is the most ornate room in the building. The Knights used it for business discussions, and as a refectory and banqueting hall, where they sat at long tables according to seniority.

More information: Heritage Malta

When Napoleon expelled the Knights from Malta in 1798 the Auberge was leased to the Malta Union Club. Though the lease was to expire in 2002, on 12 August 1955 the Auberge was assigned to house Malta's National Museum.

The Grandma at Auberge d'Auvergne et Provence

In 1974, the fine arts collection was moved to the National Museum of Fine Arts, newly established in the Admiralty House building in South Street, Valletta, and the National Museum was renamed the National Museum for Archaeology. 

The museum was refurbished and upgraded in 1998. Artifacts were placed in climate-controlled displays so that the exhibition met with current conservation standards. The Museum exhibits a spectacular range of artefacts dating back to Malta’s Neolithic Period (5000 BC) up to the Phoenician Period (400 BC). On display are the earliest tools used by the prehistoric people to facilitate their daily tasks and representations of animal and human figures; elements which not only show the great artistic skills of the first dwellers of the island but also gives us an insight of their daily lives.

Highlights include the Sleeping Lady, from the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, the Venus of Malta, from Ħaġar Qim, bronze daggers, recovered from the Bronze Age layers at Tarxien Temples, the Horus & Anubis pendant and the anthropomorphic sarcophagus, both belonging to the Phoenician Period.

The Grandma & Joseph with The Sleeping Lady

The Museum provides the visitor with a good introduction to the prehistory and early history of the Maltese Island and acts as a catalyst to the other archaeological sites in Malta.

Works are currently in progress to include another hall dedicated to the Punic period and others dedicated to the Roman and Byzantine periods in Malta.

There are some important reasons to visit this amazing museum:

-There are unique display of renowned valuable artefacts such as the Sleeping Lady, the Venus of Malta and the Horus and Anubis pendant.

-It serves as a good introduction to prehistory and early history in Malta.

-It puts Malta’s archaeological sites in context.

-It's housed in one of the most elaborately decorated Baroque buildings in Valletta.

The ground floor of the museum exhibits prehistoric artefacts from the Maltese islands, from the Għar Dalam phase (5200 BC), the earliest appearance of settlement on the island, up to the Tarxien phase (2500 BC).

The museum is divided in two important periods: the Early Neolithic Period Room (5200–3800 BC) and the Temple Period Rooms (3800–2500 BC).

The Sleeping Lady

The Early Neolithic Period Room (5200–3800 BC) exhibits artifacts from the early Neolithic Period, including decorated pottery from the Għar Dalam, Grey Skorba, Red Skorba and Żebbuġ phases. Of particular importance are the Red Skorba figurines, the earliest local representations of the human figure and the predecessors of the statues of later temple periods. The exhibition features a reconstruction of the rock-cut tombs that were a characteristic of the early Neolithic period in Malta. Rock-cut tombs reached their climax in burials like the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum and the Xagħra Stone Circle; photographs of both sites are displayed in the museum.

The Temple Period Rooms (3800–2500 BC) show examples of architecture, human representation and other items that date from the Mġarr, Ġgantija, Saflieni and Tarxien phases of Maltese prehistory. The temples that were built at this time are considered to be the world’s first free standing monuments and are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Grandma is visiting the Tarxien ruins

The museum exhibits numerous corpulent statues representing human bodies unearthed from temple excavations, along with phallic representations. 

Until recently the statues were called Mother Goddesses, Fat Ladies, Deities and Priests among other names, but it is now argued that these statues were probably asexual and represented a human being, irrespective of whether it was male or female. The representations vary in size and shape, with the largest being as tall as 2.7 m and the smallest 4 mm.

The discovery of temple altars and corpulent human representations suggests that some type of cult existed on the islands of Malta and Gozo in prehistory. Given the corpulency of the statues it may be that the cult was tied to a fertility rite. Fertility at this time must have been very important since, apart from family growth, it also meant the reproduction of crops and animals.

The exhibition includes altars excavated from the Tarxien Temples that were probably used for animal sacrifices. They were brought to the museum for conservation reasons.

 

More information: Jaunting Jen

Iż-żmien hu l-akbar għalliem.
Time is the greatest teacher. 

Maltese Proverbs