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Mnajdra
Mnajdra is a prehistoric megalithic temple complex that lies on the southern coast of Malta and is approximately 500 metres from the Ħaġar Qim megalithic structure. Mnajdra was built around the third millennium B.C. and therefore is one of the oldest free-standing building in the world, pre-dating the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge.[[http://www.maltavoyager.com/placesofinterest_mnajdra.html Maltavoyager.com - Places of Interest - Mnajdra]] It is made of coralline limestone, which is much harder than the soft globigerina limestone of Ħaġar Qim. These two choices probably represents the type of stone found directly at the two building sites. The main structural systems used in the temples are corbelling, done with smaller stones, and post-and-lintel construction using large slabs of limestone. In 1992, UNESCO declared the Mnajdra complex, together with another four megalithic sites in the Malta archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/132 Megalithic Temples of Malta - UNESCO World Heritage Centre]]
Design
The cloverleaf plan of Mnajdra appears more regular than that of Ħagar Qim, and seems reminiscent of the earlier complex at Ggantija. The prehistoric structure consists of three conjoined but not connected temples: the upper, middle and lower. [[http://www.sacred-destinations.com/malta/mnajdra-temples.htm Mnajdra Temples, Malta]]
The upper temple is the oldest structure in the Mnajdra complex and dates to the Ggantija phase (3600-3200 BC).[[http://www.heritagemalta.org/mnajdratemples.html Heritage Malta]] It is a three-apsed building, the doorway of which is formed by a hole cut into a large piece of limestone set upright, a type of construction typical of other megalithic doorways in Malta. This temple appears originally to have had a vaulted ceiling, but only the base of the ceiling now remain on top of the walls. The pillar-stones were decorated with pitmarks drilled in horizontal rows on the inner surface.
The middle temple was built in the late Tarxien phase (3150 – 2500 BC) and, in fact, is the most recent structure. It is formed of slabs topped by horizontal courses.
The lowest temple, built in the early Tarxien phase, is the most impressive and possibly the best example of Maltese megalithic architecture. It has a large forecourt containing stone benches, an entrance passage covered by horizontal slabs, one of which has survived, and the remains of a possibly domed roof.[[http://www.beautytruegood.co.uk/hagarq2.htm Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra (2)]] The temple is decorated with spiral carvings and indentations, and pierced by windows, some into smaller rooms and one onto an arrangement of stones.
Functions
The lowest temple is astronomically aligned and thus was probably used as an astronomical observation and/or calendrical site.[[http://www.sacredsites.com/europe/malta/temples_malta.html Malta]] On the vernal and the autumnal equinox sunlight passes through the main doorway and lights up the major axis. On the solstices sunlight illuminates the edges of megaliths to the left and right of this doorway.[[http://www.chrisf.com.au/pivot/entry.php?id=83 Equinox at Mnajdra Temples » Chris and Marika's Online Journal]]
Graham Hancock described the event as follows:
Although there are no written records to indicate the purpose of these structures, archaeologists have inferred their use from ceremonial objects found within them: sacrificial flint knives and rope holes that were possibly used to constrain animals for sacrifice (since various animal bones were found). These structures were not used as tombs since no human remains were found.[[http://www.carnaval.com/goddess/malta_temples2.htm Hypogeum,Tarxien & Malta as tip of Atlantis]] The temples contain furniture such as stone benches and tables that give clues to their use. Many artifacts were recovered from within the temples suggesting that these temples were used for religious purposes, perhaps to heal illness and/or to promote fertility.
Excavations
The excavations of the Mnajdra temples were performed under the direction of J.G. Vance in 1840, one year after the discovery of Ħagar Qim.[Alfie Guillaumier, Bliet u Rhula Maltin, Malta 1972] In 1910, Dr. Thomas Ashby performed further investigations which resulted in the collection of the important archaeological material. Further excavations were performed in December 1949, in which two small statues, two large bowls, tools and one large spherical stone, which was probably used to move the temple's large stones, were discovered.
Trivia
The 1, 2 and 5 cent of Maltese euro coins have a representation of the Mnajdra temples on their obverse side.
Gallery
Image:Mt mnajdra.jpg | A total view of the structure
Image:Malta 24 Mnajdra.jpg | Ruins of the upper (oldest) temple
Image:Malta Temple.JPG | Remains of Mnajdra
Image:5 cent Malta.jpg | Maltese 1, 2 and 5 eurocent coin
Image:Mnajdra graffito temple.jpg | An important graffito representing a roofed megalithic temple found in Mnajdra
Image:Temple solaire Mnajdra.jpg | Solar angle
Image:Plan des temples de Mnajdra.png | Plan of the Mnajdra temple
Source: Wikipedia