Ggantija

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'''Ġgantija''' (English pronunciation [ɡæn'tiːə], [[Maltese language|Maltese]] pronunciation: [ʤgɐnˈtiːjɐ], "Giants' Tower") is a [[Neolithic]], [[megalithic]] [[temple]] complex on the [[Mediterranean]] [[island]] of [[Gozo Island|Gozo]].  The Ġgantija temples are the earliest of a series of [[Megalithic Temples of Malta|megalithic temples]] in [[Malta]]. Their makers erected the two Ġgantija temples during the [[Neolithic Age]] (c. 3600-2500 BC), which makes these temples more than 5500 years old and some of the world's oldest manmade [[religion|religious]] structures.  Together with other similar structures, these have been designated a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]], the [[Megalithic Temples of Malta]].
'''Ġgantija''' (English pronunciation [ɡæn'tiːə], [[Maltese language|Maltese]] pronunciation: [ʤgɐnˈtiːjɐ], "Giants' Tower") is a [[Neolithic]], [[megalithic]] [[temple]] complex on the [[Mediterranean]] [[island]] of [[Gozo Island|Gozo]].  The Ġgantija temples are the earliest of a series of [[Megalithic Temples of Malta|megalithic temples]] in [[Malta]]. Their makers erected the two Ġgantija temples during the [[Neolithic Age]] (c. 3600-2500 BC), which makes these temples more than 5500 years old and some of the world's oldest manmade [[religion|religious]] structures.  Together with other similar structures, these have been designated a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]], the [[Megalithic Temples of Malta]].
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Image:Ggantija Megalith.jpg            | Panorama of the Ġgantija megalith
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Image:800px-Ggantija Megalith.jpg            | Panorama of the Ġgantija megalith
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Image:Ggantija mur.jpg                | Ġgantija walls made up of megalithic stones
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Image:800px-Ggantija mur.jpg                | Ġgantija walls made up of megalithic stones
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Image:Malta_Templo_dei_Ggantija-1-.jpg | View of Ġgantija's exterior wall
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Image:800px-Malta_Templo_dei_Ggantija-1-.jpg | View of Ġgantija's exterior wall
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Image:Plan des temples de Ggantija.png | Plan of the Ġgantija temples <!-- English version is preferred -->
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Image:800px-Plan des temples de Ggantija.png | Plan of the Ġgantija temples  
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Versione attuale delle 15:23, 3 gen 2010

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Ġgantija (English pronunciation [ɡæn'tiːə], Maltese pronunciation: [ʤgɐnˈtiːjɐ], "Giants' Tower") is a Neolithic, megalithic temple complex on the Mediterranean island of Gozo. The Ġgantija temples are the earliest of a series of megalithic temples in Malta. Their makers erected the two Ġgantija temples during the Neolithic Age (c. 3600-2500 BC), which makes these temples more than 5500 years old and some of the world's oldest manmade religious structures. Together with other similar structures, these have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Megalithic Temples of Malta.

The temples were possibly the site of a Fertility cult; archeologists believe that the numerous figurines and statues found on site are connected with that cult. According to local Gozitan folklore, giants built these temples and used them as places of worship.[1]

Indice

Description and design

The Ġgantija temples stand at the end of the Xagħra plateau, facing towards the south-east.

This megalithic monument is in fact two temples, built side by side and enclosed within a boundary wall. The southerly one is the larger and elder, dating back to approximately 3600 BC. It is also better preserved. [2] The plan of the temple incorporates five large apses, with traces of the plaster that once covered the irregular wall still clinging between the blocks. [3]

Ġgantija Temple

The temples are built in the typical clover-leaf shape, with inner facing blocks marking the shape which was then filled in with rubble. This led to the construction of a series of semi-circular apses connected with a central passage. Archaeologists believe that the apses were originally covered by roofing. The structures are all the more impressive for having been constructed at a time when no metal tools were available to the natives of the Maltese islands, and when the wheel had not yet been introduced. Small, spherical stones have been discovered. They are believed to have been used as ball bearings to transport the enormous stone blocks required for the temples' construction.

The temple, like other megalithic sites in Malta, faces southeast. The southern temple rises to a height of six metres. At the entrance sits a large stone block with a recess, which led to the hypothesis that this was a ritual ablution station for purification before entering the complex.[4] The five apses contain various altars; evidence of animal bones in the site suggests the site was used for animal sacrifice.

Excavations and recognition

Residents and travelers knew about the existence of the temple for a long time. In the late eighteenth century, even before any excavations were carried out, Jean-Pierre Hoüel drew a mostly correct plan based on that knowledge.[5] In 1827, Col. John Otto Bayer, the Lieutenant Governor of Gozo, had the site cleared of debris.[6][7] Unfortunately the soil and remains were lost without having been properly examined.[8] Luckily the German artist Brochtorff had painted a picture of the site within a year or two prior to removal of the debris, so there was a record of the site before clearance.[8]

After the excavations in 1827, the ruins fell into decay. The land was held privately until 1933, when the Government expropriated it for public benefit. The Museums Department conducted extensive archaeological work in 1933, 1936, 1949, 1956-57 and 1958-59. Its goal was to clear, preserve and research the ruins and their surroundings.

The Ġgantija temples were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. In 1992, the Committee decided to expand the listing to include five other megalithic temples situated across the islands of Malta and Gozo. The Ġgantija listing was renamed as "The Megalithic Temples of Malta"[9]

Gallery

Panorama of the Ġgantija megalith

Ġgantija walls made up of megalithic stones

View of Ġgantija's exterior wall

Plan of the Ġgantija temples

Citations

  1. ↑ Template:Citation
  2. ↑ Template:Citation
  3. ↑ Template:Citation
  4. ↑ Template:Citation
  5. ↑ Template:Citation
  6. ↑ Template:Cite web
  7. ↑ Template:Cite web
  8. ↑ 8,0 8,1 Template:Citation
  9. ↑ Template:Cite web

External links

See also

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