Some might find it spooky, while others manage to read a romantic narrative into it – whatever the take, the opportunity to visit a prehistoric cave at night is unique, especially during a full moon.

After all, this is how the first humans interacted with this underground space. Who knows whether the appearance of a full moon had any special meaning to the earlier ancestors?

This evening, Heritage Malta is inviting the public to experience this unique sensation at Għar Dalam in Birżebbuġa, which is the oldest prehistoric site in Malta.

The remoteness of the site will also enable visitors to enjoy the kind of tranquility which is not easily found.

Għar Dalam also houses a vast collection of fossils of Ice Age animals that were discovered inside the cave.

The site also carries a high paleontological, archaeological and ecological value. Għar Dalam cave was created by water, whose force eroded the landscape to create the valley of Wied Dalam. It was also this water which carried the large quantity of bones of extinct animals and deposited them in the cave, where they remained concealed for thousands of years.

Remains and artefacts of the first human settlers in Malta have also been discovered here. The areas around Għar Dalam are brimming with findings which provide key information about different people who inhabited the islands in various eras. This is evident through the discovery of tombs and cart ruts which are spread in the surrounding landscape.

The megalithic temple and Bronze Age sites of Borġ in-Nadur are also in close vicinity, as is the Roman villa, known as Ta’ Kaċċatura, with its elaborate cistern.

Għar Dalam forms part of the Natura 2000 network of protected sites.

Curiously, the area has been identified as a roosting site for the lesser horse-shoe bat. To enhance its ecological value, the grounds leading to the cave have now been planted with indigenous trees and shrubs to create a Mediterranean environment in order to attract a diverse fauna and to add to the biodiversity of the area.

This work is part of a project that will see sites within the area linked together and made accessible to the public.

Those attending the full moon event will have time to immerse themselves in the exclusive atmosphere of this mythical site accompanied by the timeless beauty of a full moon. The activity will include presentations about the various features of interest which are found in the Wied Dalam area, as well as a moonlight tour of the site and cave, followed by light refreshments.

The meeting time and place for today’s event is Għar Dalam at 7:30pm.

Ticket prices: adults at €14. Seniors, students and children at €11. Heritage Malta members at €10.

Tickets are available from all Heritage Malta sites and museums, including online at www.heritagemalta.org.