The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground cemetery used by Malta’s prehistoric society, is an exceptional prehistoric monument testifying to the artistic and architectural accomplishments of this prehistoric culture. It was used for burial throughout the Zebbug, Ggantija and Tarxien phases of Maltese prehistory, spanning from around 4,000BC to 2,500BC. The hypogeum is located in Paola, close to the Tarxien Temples, the two sites being partly contemporary and possibly used by the same society.

It was discovered accidentally in 1902, at a time when the Paola area was the focus of extensive housing development. While workmen were digging a bell-shaped well for a house that was being constructed above the site, they broke into one of the rock-cut chambers. The discovery was not reported immediately, and it was only after the house had been completed in 1903 that the owners informed the authorities.

Initial inspection of the site suggested that it belonged to the early Christian era, but further exploration soon indicated otherwise.

Extensive investigation of the Hypogeum commenced in 1904 under the direction of Fr Emmanuel Magri, and by 1906 most of the site had been excavated. Unfortunately, Fr Magri died in 1907 in Sfax, Tunisia, without having published his findings or any reports of his excavations – and his notes were never found. The site was first opened to the public in 1908, but even then it was apparent that further excavations, which could shed light on its past, were possible in the Hypogeum. This work was taken up by Sir Temi Zammit, then curator of the Museum in Valletta, and excavations continued until February 1911.

The Hal Saflieni complex consists of a series of rock-cut oval chambers set on three different levels, the upper, middle and lower levels. Excavations carried out at the site between 1990 and 1992 indicate that originally there was a monumental structure above the underground chambers marking the entrance to the underground cemetery, but the full extent of this structure is unknown. Light would have entered the complex through a small opening between the upper and middle levels and it would have been necessary to use artificial lighting to navigate through some of the chambers.

Most of the rock-cut chambers are oval in design, and the walls and ceilings of some of them bear unique wall-paintings in red ochre depicting spiral and honey-comb designs – the only prehistoric wall paintings found on the Maltese Islands. One of the chambers decorated in red ochre contains a small niche which echoes particularly when someone speaks into it. This effect may not have been created intentionally by those who carved out the chamber and niche, but it would surely have been exploited as part of the rituals that took place within the chambers.

Perhaps one of the most striking characteristics of this site is that some areas are hewn in imitation of the architecture of contemporary above-ground temples. One particular chamber was fashioned in a manner to imitate the temples’ corbelled roofing. This not only provides us with additional information on the temples’ construction but also demonstrates important developments in human cognition and representation.

Excavation of the Hypogeum yielded a wealth of archaeological material. The numerous human bones found within the site indicate that it was originally used as a cemetery and may also have served as the site for the funerary rituals that in all probability accompanied these burials. The large number of human bones excavated from the site led Sir Temi Zammit to estimate that over 6,000 individuals had been buried at Hal Saflieni over the span of time that it was in use. It appears that bodies were lain in a crouched position when buried and once the flesh had decayed away from the bones, these were pushed aside to make place for fresh burials.

Pottery vessels decorated in intricate designs were excavated from the chambers. These may have been used as part of burial rituals or may have also carried grave goods placed close by the deceased. A considerable number of shell buttons, stone and clay beads and amulets were also collected during the excavations, possibly worn by the deceased upon burial. Little animals and birds carved in stone, which may have originally been worn as pendants, were also discovered at the site.

The most striking finds from the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum are the stone and clay figurines. These depict human figures that are seated, standing or even lying down. The most impressive of these figures is the one showing a woman sleeping on a bed or “couch”, popularly known as the “Sleeping Lady” and now on exhibition at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. This figure is a work of art in itself, portraying a keen eye for detail. The “lady” is depicted with her right hand clasping a pillow on which her head rests, while her left hand is resting gently on her right elbow.

The bed she is lying on is slightly concave as though it is bending under the weight of the figure it is supporting.

The finds excavated at the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, as well as the site itself, with its intricately hewn chambers, bear witness to the high order of craftsmanship and artistic mastery of the prehistoric culture that inhabited the Maltese Islands some 5,000 years ago. Every effort is therefore being made to ensure that it can still be appreciated by future generations. Due to the delicate nature of the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, the environment at the site is continuously monitored and controlled so that even the number of visitors in the site has to be limited to a maximum of 70 individuals per day.

Tickets may be booked and purchased by visiting www.heritagemaltashop. com or by contacting the Hypogeum staff on email: [email protected] or Tel: 2180-5019.

Article provided by Heritage Malta