Prehistory History Brief c.5200 - 4000 B.C. The Maltese Islands are rich in archaeological sites and artefacts from the some of the earliest traces of human settlement in the world. Yet so little is known for certain about the beliefs and organisation of these prehistoric societies. Malta and Gozo's temples and the underground chamber of the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum are designated World Heritage Sites. They hold equal fascination for tourists and archaeologists. Man was present on the Islands for around 1500 years before the megalithic phenomenon began. The earliest signs of human activity in Malta date back to the Neolithic Period of about 5000 BC. Evidence of New Stone Age Man was found at Ghar Dalam, a cave near Birzebbuga in the south of Malta. The cave also revealed fossilised bones of numerous animals such as dwarf elephants. This indicates that Malta was at one time a land bridge between the European and African continents. When man arrived on the Islands, he would have found a landscape very different to the rocky arid one today; one more wooded and with more animal life. However, these early farmers would have had to bring with them almost everything they needed to survive, from domestic animals to grain. It is a feat in itself that these people managed to cross from Sicily. They would have made many voyages, on craft probably little more than rafts. The journey could have been made only at a few times in the year, weather permitting. In addition to being competent farmers, these early dwellers would have needed a good knowledge of seafaring and the elements. A major prehistoric site was discovered at Skorba, in the north of Malta. Here, we learn more of how they lived: pottery fragments have been discovered similar to those found in Sicily. These cave dwelling farmers seem to have retained contact with Sicily - traces of obsidian, a volcanic rock, and flint, continued to be imported into Malta for use in tools. Though we have no evidence that there was any cultural transfer between the two islands. These Neolithic farming communities appear to have had spiritual beliefs. In the so-called 'Skorba Shrine' fragments of the earliest representation of human form were found: unmistakable female figurines, perhaps indicating belief in a 'mother goddess' or a fertility symbol. What happened to these farmers is unclear. But by around 3500 a new people, probably also from Sicily, arrived to replace Malta's Neolithic man. We know them as the people whose beliefs inspired the building of Malta and Gozo's megalithic monuments. To learn more about the archaeological sites and museums, use our interactive map. The Temple Builders Key Dates in Prehistory Archaeology Museum
Prehistory History Brief c.5200 - 4000 B.C. The Maltese Islands are rich in archaeological sites and artefacts from the some of the earliest traces of human settlement in the world. Yet so little is known for certain about the beliefs and organisation of these prehistoric societies. Malta and Gozo's temples and the underground chamber of the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum are designated World Heritage Sites. They hold equal fascination for tourists and archaeologists. Man was present on the Islands for around 1500 years before the megalithic phenomenon began. The earliest signs of human activity in Malta date back to the Neolithic Period of about 5000 BC. Evidence of New Stone Age Man was found at Ghar Dalam, a cave near Birzebbuga in the south of Malta. The cave also revealed fossilised bones of numerous animals such as dwarf elephants. This indicates that Malta was at one time a land bridge between the European and African continents. When man arrived on the Islands, he would have found a landscape very different to the rocky arid one today; one more wooded and with more animal life. However, these early farmers would have had to bring with them almost everything they needed to survive, from domestic animals to grain. It is a feat in itself that these people managed to cross from Sicily. They would have made many voyages, on craft probably little more than rafts. The journey could have been made only at a few times in the year, weather permitting. In addition to being competent farmers, these early dwellers would have needed a good knowledge of seafaring and the elements. A major prehistoric site was discovered at Skorba, in the north of Malta. Here, we learn more of how they lived: pottery fragments have been discovered similar to those found in Sicily. These cave dwelling farmers seem to have retained contact with Sicily - traces of obsidian, a volcanic rock, and flint, continued to be imported into Malta for use in tools. Though we have no evidence that there was any cultural transfer between the two islands. These Neolithic farming communities appear to have had spiritual beliefs. In the so-called 'Skorba Shrine' fragments of the earliest representation of human form were found: unmistakable female figurines, perhaps indicating belief in a 'mother goddess' or a fertility symbol. What happened to these farmers is unclear. But by around 3500 a new people, probably also from Sicily, arrived to replace Malta's Neolithic man. We know them as the people whose beliefs inspired the building of Malta and Gozo's megalithic monuments.
To learn more about the archaeological sites and museums, use our interactive map.