Tarxie Research Paper

There have been many prehistoric structures found by archeologists all over the world, one of them being the megalithic temples of Malta. Archeologists have dated the temples from 4000- 2500 BC, making it older than the pyramids and Stonehenge. The temples were made out of stone and consisted of an incomplete dome and horizontal arch and post and animal hide coverings. Most of the temples had a basic floor plan of a variable number of hemispheric chambers branching off from a narrow entrance path. Though not much was known about the Maltese people that made the temples, most scholars believe that the temples were used for rituals to worship a mother goddess. Evidence of her statuette can be found scattered around the Mediterranean as well as in parts of Malta. Although the temples were large in overall extent, the individual chambers were quite small. Based on the size of these chambers huge public worship gatherings weren’t possible. Instead, scholars believe that the priest or priestess carried out rites inside the temples and the general public wasn’t invited. Additionally, some of the temples were used for astronomical …show more content…
It is located close to the Tarxien temple complex, and consists of an intricate maze of chambers, halls, corridors and stairs. Though not as intricately ornamented as the Tarxien temple complex, it served the same purpose. The red walls suggest that the chamber was used primarily for animal sacrifices. Not only was the Hypogeum used for animal sacrifice but also as a cemetery. “Archaeologists have found an estimated 7000 human bones on the temple site. (Grima 3)” Additionally, there is another chamber within the temple called the Oracular Room, owing to its interesting echoing qualities. The Maltese people constructed a square niche in the wall of the temple that enhanced the voice of the priest performing the