The prehistoric temples evidenced today are bare and subject to natural elements. Were these structures more elaborate and refined when they were built? Was there a roof on top? Who were these communities that inhabited the area, built and made use of such structures?
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Ta' Hagrat Temples Old photoTa' Ħaġrat Temples
The value of these temples has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Site
The dating of this site is still uncertain although the finds indicate a Saflieni phase (3,300 – 3,000 BC) date.
Ta' Hagrat Temples DetailTa' Ħaġrat Temples
Ceramic material from both earlier and later periods was found within the site, indicating that the site was used both before and after the construction of the Temples.
Ta' Hagrat West TempleTa' Ħaġrat Temples
The West temple is the larger of the two buildings and dates from the earliest phases of megalithic construction – the Ġgantija phase (3600 – 3200 BC).
Ta' Hagrat Temples facadeTa' Ħaġrat Temples
This structure has a monumental doorway and façade which give the site two of its most awe-inspiring and renowned characteristics. Other features include a bench, running along the facade’s length.
Ta' Hagrat Temples courtyardTa' Ħaġrat Temples
It also has a courtyard, measuring approximately 2.5m by 4.5m, surrounded by a raised stone kerb.
Ta' Hagrat Temples chambersTa' Ħaġrat Temples
This space, accessible through the entrance corridor of the West temple, provides access to three chambers through megalithic doorways.
Ta' Hagrat East TempleTa' Ħaġrat Temples
The East Temple is the smaller structure and is built on a 4-apse plan. It is linked to the earlier one through a doorway in the eastern room.
Discoveries
A number of pottery sherds and material found in this site hint to the fact that the temples replaced a village
Ta' Hagrat Model (-4100/-2500)National Museum of Archaeology, Malta
On Monday 3rd of September, 1923 a sculpted scale model of a roofed megalithic building was found in the East Temple. A sketch found in the Mgarr parish records is the only entry of the spot where this model was found.
Ram's head vessel handleNational Museum of Archaeology, Malta
This artefact was found under about 1 feet of soil in the area to the north of the ruins.
Sir Temi Zammit's field reports Sir Temi Zammit's field reportsTa' Ħaġrat Temples
This artefact was found under about 1 feet of soil in the area to the north of the ruins.
Sir Temi Zammit's field reports Sir Temi Zammit's field reportsTa' Ħaġrat Temples
An artefact found in the second campaign of excavations (1924 - 1925). There is a discrepancy concerning the findspot of this artefact
Excavation
How were these structures discovered and what necessary actions are being taken in order to conserve them for future generations?
1917 – Discovery of Ta' Hagrat TemplesTa' Ħaġrat Temples
A mound in the field known as ‘Ta’ Ħaġrat’ was reported by Themistocles Zammit by C. Rizzo in 1917.
Sir Temi Zammit's field reports Sir Temi Zammit's field reportsTa' Ħaġrat Temples
Zammit visited the site with G. Despott and R. Bonello on the 21st of March of the same year.
Sir Temi Zammit's field reports Sir Temi Zammit's field reportsTa' Ħaġrat Temples
Intrigued by the remains, he immediately expressed his wish to excavate the site when funds permitted.
1923 – 1926 First excavation of Ta' Hagrat TemplesTa' Ħaġrat Temples
Excavations commenced six years later by Zammit in 1923 (concluded in 1926).
Sir Temi Zammit's field reports Sir Temi Zammit's field reportsTa' Ħaġrat Temples
The extensive damage done to the site before its discovery is referred to a number of times, both in the field notes and in the published reports.
Sir Temi Zammit's field reports Sir Temi Zammit's field reportsTa' Ħaġrat Temples
The main doorway of this structure was restored in 1937 following damages done in the field-clearing operations. The work conducted by a small crowd consisted of the replacement of the door lintel to its original position.
Hi-res texture-mapped model EntranceTa' Ħaġrat Temples
The condition assessment of Ta’ Ħaġrat was carried out in December 2007. The visual inspection of this site led to the identification of a number of concerns which were identified and catalogued.
Hi-res texture-mapped model Boundary wallTa' Ħaġrat Temples
As part of targeted interaction by Heritage Malta members and onsite visitors between 2005 and 2007, the site was also assessed in terms of their archaeological and social value.
Hi-res texture-mapped model Side wallTa' Ħaġrat Temples
Following consultations with various stakeholders, ideal conditions were identified and priorities set.
