The Ggantija temples are perhaps the best preserved and most impressive of all the megalithic remains on the Maltese islands. Standing on the south-eastern slope of the Xaghra plateau overlooking the valley leading to Ramla Bay, these prehistoric ruins are impressive both in the sheer size of the megaliths used for their construction and in the building methods which were employed. The temples are recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, listed in the World Heritage List in 1980. Being the most visited cultural attraction on the Maltese islands, they constitute a site of prime importance and economic value to our nation.
The Ggantija temples were the first among the Maltese prehistoric monuments to be cleared of the accumulation of earth and debris. Digging of the site started in 1827 on the initiative of Colonel Otto Bayer; but this was no scientific excavation and unfortunately no reports of the works were published. After its clearing, the site was unfortunately left open for dilapidation. It was in the 1930s that the land was finally expropriated by the government. Substantial restoration works were carried out and the site was officially opened to the public in 1949.
In 1787 the view of these impressive prehistoric remains was captured in an engraving by Jean Houel, a French artist working in the court of Louis XVI, who was touring the islands of Sicily, Malta and Lipari. Another exquisite set of illustrations was executed by Charles de Brocktorff who was present during the excavations led by Colonel Otto Bayer in the 1820s. Together with those of Houel, Brocktorff’s illustrations offer invaluable evidence of what the temple remains looked like prior to our times.
The Ggantija temples were erected over a period of several hundred years and consist of two distinct temples built side by side. Architecturally, the megalithic structure consists of pairs of apses flanking a central corridor, a plan which is echoed in most of Malta’s prehistoric temples. The two temple complexes share a common massive external wall. The sizeable forecourt in front of both temples is raised on a high terrace, the megaliths of which can be appreciated from the south-eastern elevation. The majority of the stone fabric employed in the construction of this monument consists of local upper coralline limestone, while the softer globigerina is used for the construction of altars and decorative slabs.
The south temple is larger in size and seems to have been the more important complex of the two, evidence of which is further supported by the more sumptuous furnishings on the interior. It is also the older, dating to the period actually named after the site – the Ggantija phase, c.3,600-3,000 BC. In plan it consists of five apses connected by a central corridor. The north temple dates to c.3,200 BC, its plan being almost an inversion of that of the larger temple, with the inner apses being smaller in size than the outer ones, and the rear-end apse being here substituted by a shallow niche. Throughout the complex, one can discern the same idea of an increase in the level of flooring as one steps further into the building, a phenomenon which is created through a series of low steps at each intersection and which enhances one’s awareness of the closer proximity to the more important and, perhaps more sacred, parts of the temple.
Prehistoric art on the Maltese islands may be classified into different typologies, which encompass an artistic vocabulary expressed in interior decoration consisting of stone pitting, carved reliefs and painted designs, decorations on pottery and other artefacts and statuary, which may also be painted. A sizeable relief of a snake found in the south temple of Ggantija is now preserved in the Gozo Museum of Archaeology. Another sculpture of considerable dimensions is a phallic stone symbol which, according to Brocktorff’s account of its excavation, was found next to the altar in the left inner apse of the south temple. Circular volutes are carved in shallow relief on threshold slabs and pitted decoration is also evident on a number of slabs.
The uprights forming the doorways into the temples have holes cut into the stone, suggesting that the entrance was closed off by some kind of screen. Given the supposed religious function of the site, which may be deducted through the evidence of animal sacrifices and the presence of libation holes, screening off of the most sacred areas of the temple is almost expected.
Heritage Malta was set up in 2002 and is the national agency entrusted with the mission to “protect and make accessible to the public” Malta’s national heritage. Safeguarding the Ggantija temples and improving their accessibility and interpretation is certainly one of Heritage Malta’s most important aims and responsibilities. The megalithic structures and their surroundings are in fact undergoing a series of rehabilitation works under the direction of the Gozo Area Office of Heritage Malta. Among the current projects mention must be made of the interim visitor centre, which is envisaged as a short-term development in order to provide modern visitor facilities until a permanent visitor centre is constructed.
In summer 2005 Heritage Malta recognised the necessity to carry out a visitor survey at the Ggantija temples. The objectives of the survey are largely to gather information on visitors’ characteristics, requirements and expectations and to identify ways to improve visitor experience.
The project was entrusted to the Malta Tourism Authority. Results of the first quarter of the survey, which is to be spread on a period of 12 months, have so far provided a positive outcome. The results show a strong inclination towards a foreign presence, amounting to 94.6 per cent. The rest of the sample constituted local visitors. Considering that the Ggantija temples are the most visited heritage site in the country, a very high incidence of foreigners is an expected outcome. It is still important however, that as nationals, we show greater awareness and better appreciation of our national heritage.
As regards visitor experience, the majority of respondents feel the need for more information about the temples. The projects which are currently underway are precisely targeted in order to enhance the visitor experience. These include information panels and walkways which will be financed by the Vodafone Ggantija Project and better restroom facilities and a museum shop which are to be incorporated within the interim visitor centre.
Results also show that 70 per cent of visitors would be willing to spend more time at the site if the temples were to form part of an archaeological park. This is one of Heritage Malta’s long-term goals incorporating the permanent visitor centre, which is envisaged to emphasise a better appreciation of Malta’s prehistoric past.
With regards to the conservation of the site, a conservation catalogue is presently being compiled under the direction of the Scientific Committee for the Conservation of the Megalithic Temples. This catalogue evaluates and records the condition of the fabric of these prehistoric ruins, which will help identify and prioritise major problematic areas within the temple structure and will be followed by maintenance and restoration works.
Other rehabilitation works draw particular attention to the landscape context of the site. In the long-term it is envisaged that the temples will be freed from any foreign structures in their immediate surroundings, in order to be able to appreciate them in a context which is closer to their originality. An ecological survey will be carried out during the first few months of this year.
The objective of this project is to provide accurate ecological information of the Ggantija grounds, which will aid in the monitoring of the natural surroundings of the site and will also provide guidelines for the revival of the ecological habitat.
The Ggantija Temples are open from Monday to Sunday, from 9am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm). For further information call on 2155 3194, 2156 4188 or visit www.heritagemalta.org
Nicoline Sagona is the Curator of Ggantija Temples
Article provided by Heritage Malta