Global Treasures: Prehistoric Malta

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1219

UPC: 879061008184

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Malta's temples are older than the Egyptian pyramids. Indeed, the tiny Mediterranean island is a veritable archaeological treasure trove, and its largest prehistoric temple site is situated in Tarxien.

The remains of the religious sanctuary were discovered in 1914 when local farmers stumbled across some huge blocks of stone while plowing their fields. Subsequent excavation of the site revealed several remarkable prehistoric finds such as fragments of pottery, stone images and a large number of urns. Carbon dating has established that the Tarxien temples date back to between 3300 to 2400 BC.

The temple area, and those of its rocks that have been partially decorated with geometrical forms, extend across an area of several hundred metres. The massive rocks raise the question of how those who brought them to this location were able to transport such heavy material here 4,500 years ago.