A new look at the old temples

Prehistoric Malta, particularly the awe-inspiring megalithic temples, have been instigating extensive fieldwork and the production of lengthy and voluminous publications for over two centuries.

Yet today we are still faced with more questions than answers on why this group of small and isolated islands at the heart of the land-locked sea produced such a highly sophisticated prehistoric culture.

The management of Gozo's Astra Theatre has teamed up with Heritage Malta to organise an international seminar focusing on the Temple Culture of Prehistoric Malta in this year's Festival Mediterranea. The adopted title is "A New Look at the Old Temples", and is to be spread over three consecutive mornings starting on Thursday.

The venue will be the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard, and each morning will be centred on a different theme, namely temple architecture, society and religion, and cultural contacts and trade respectively.

The main speakers at this seminar are Dr David Trump, former Curator of Archaeology at the National Museum of Malta from 1958 to 1963 and co-director of the recent excavations at the Xaghra Stone Circle Hypogeum; Alberto Cazzella, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Rome and co-director of the excavations at the religious compound of Tas-Silg, and Professor Anthony Bonanno, head of the Department of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta and co-director of the Stone Circle excavations).

Other papers will be presented by the managerial team of Heritage Malta, namely the curators of archaeology and World Heritage sites respectively and the manager, Gozo Sites and Museums. Likewise, the organisers included a number of young archaeologists to share the findings of their academic research undertaken in connection with their post-graduate studies at the University of Malta.

Further information can be acquired from the booking helpdesk on telephone number 2155-0985, or from www.mediterranea.com.mt and info@mediterranea.com.mt.

Participants will also have the opportunity to benefit from a special comprehensive go-as-you-please ticket covering the megalithic temples of Ggantija, Tarxien, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, and the museums of Archaeology in Valletta and at the Gozo Citadel. Apart from this, on Thursday at 4 p.m., Dr Trump will be leading a sunset tour of Ggantija.