Tarxien temples where excavated by Sir Temi Zammit in the beginning of the 20th century after being discovered by local farmers.
Tarxien temples are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and were built during the Temple period , i.e. 3600 b.c. – 2500b.c and re-used during the Bronze age period rom 2400b.c. – 1500b.c.
Tarxien Temples consists of 4 temples, 3 attached to each other and the earliest detached and almost survives only to the ground level, although it’s 5 apsed plan can still be visible today. The third temple, is the most decorative one, with various symbols, caved in stone, related to this culture, welcomes visitors at the main entrance. Carved animals, decorated altar and a lower part of a colossal statue of a skirted figure adornes the first apses.
The 4th temple, it’s the only one in Malta that follows the 6 apsed plan. In one of the apses includes depictions of domestic animals, like bull, pig and what looks like a sow with piglets. After excavations, it was revealed that it was extensively used to sacrifice animals. In what is referred to as the main altar, a stone plug was removed, and 13 pieces of flint knives and remains of sacrificed animals were discovered.
Tarxien temples were built with local stone, called the Globigerina limestone. It’s a soft stone , easy to quarry and carve. The tools that the temple people had, where flint and obsidian, which had to be imported from Sicily , Lipari and Pantelleria islands. During excavations, Sir Temi Zammit, discovered a good number of stone rollers, which presumably were used to avoid friction whilst moving the heavy slabs from the quarry, towards the building site. Some of the slabs weigh up to 10 and 20 tonnes each.
In the same village , where Tarxien temples were discovered, an underground burial site, called the Hypogeum was discovered. It’s approximately 300 meters away on foot and it was excavated during the Temple period. Another temple called Kordin was built on the outskirts of the village. It is believed that the hypogeum was used a communal burial site.
Tarxien temples was used by the Bronze age people as a cemetery. The site was used during the bronze age people from 2400b.c and 1500b.c. During excavations, one meter full of ash was discovered in the 3rd temple.
Tarxien temples where recently covered with a canopy to protect the stones from the elements. The temples are open for the public every day from 09 00hrs – 17 00hrs, last entrance is at 16 30hrs. Tarxien temples can be included with the 3 cities tour or Marsaxlokk fishing village. They are managed by Heritage Malta, which is the national agency that runs museums and sites.
