The country’s prehistoric sites will be examined through archaeo-astronomy on Thursday during a talk organised by Malta’s national trust, Din l-Art Ħelwa.

Archaeoastronomy is defined as an academic interdisciplinary field of astronomy and archaeology. Based on modern research, several Maltese prehistoric temples are constructed with a clearly defined celestial orientation. However, the extent to which this was purposely intended by their architects is debatable. One challenge in archaeoastronomy is to see the world or the sky through the eyes of a prehistoric person.

In a historical, anthropological and cosmological context, based on the archaeological record, archeoastronomy studies the interrelation of the relative movements of heavenly bodies and human behaviour on earth, often rooted in ancient times.

Temples are frequently regarded as partial models of the universe constructed to embody cosmological belief systems and worldviews.

The talk will be addressed by Tore Lomsdalen who has a Master’s in cultural astronomy and astrology from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in the UK and is currently following a PhD programme with the University of Malta on cosmology in prehistoric Malta.

■ The talk is being held at the Caruana Curran Hall at 133, Melita Street in Valletta on Thursday at 6.30pm. Entrance is free, but donations to Din-l-Art Ħelwa are appreciated.