MALTA'S PREHISTORY

Between around 5500 and 4500

years ago, the Maltese Islands were inhabited by an extraordinary society,

one both intelligent and resourceful.

The islands witnessed a unique megalithic building phenomenon. The lives and beliefs of these early

Maltese Islanders are shrouded in mystery.

TEMPLES PERIOD

The Temples in Ggantija,Gozo are considered the oldest surviving, free-standing monuments in the world. The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum in Paola is an outstanding feat of prehistoric engineering.

It is the only underground temple and burial place of its kind in the world.

Other temples, those of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien , as well as a dozen other sites, seem to confirm the theory that Malta was a " Sacred Island " .

MALTA DURING THE BRONZE AGE

The first defensive settlements in the Maltese Islands date back to the Bronze Age,

between 2400BC and 800BC. After the collapse of the temples culture , the Bronze Age was characterized by new settlers who imported bronze, an important commodity.

The importance of possessing bronze, could have possibly led to friction with different races fighting each other.

THE ENDING

Malta's Prehistory is full of intriguing artifacts and ancient sites. It's like stepping back in time!