The Tarxien Temples (Maltese pronunciation: [ˈtarʃi.ɛn]) are an archaeological complex in Tarxien, Malta.
They date to approximately 3150 BC.
The site was accepted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 along with
the other Megalithic temples on the island of Malta.
See my post on the Hypogeum : https://the-tin-man.com/2013/06/22/hypogeum-of-hal-saflieni-paola-malta/
The Tarxien consist of three separate, but attached, temple structures.
The main entrance is a reconstruction dating from 1956, when the whole site was restored.
At the same time, many of the decorated slabs discovered on site were relocated indoors for protection at the Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.
The first temple has been dated to approximately 3100 BC and is the most elaborately decorated of the temples of Malta.
The middle temple dates to about 3000 BC, and is unique in that, unlike the rest of the Maltese temples, it has three pairs of apses instead of the usual two.
The east temple is dated at around 3100 BC. The remains of another temple, smaller, and older, having been dated to 3250 BC, are visible further towards the east.
Of particular interest at the temple site is the rich and intricate stonework, which includes depictions of domestic animals carved in relief, altars, and screens decorated with spiral designs and other patterns.
Demonstrative of the skill of the builders is a chamber set into the thickness of the wall between the South and Central temples and containing a relief showing a bull and a sow.
Excavation of the site reveals that it was used extensively for rituals, which probably involved animal sacrifice.
Especially interesting is that Tarxien provides rare insight into how the megaliths were constructed: stone rollers were left outside the South temple.
Additionally, evidence of cremation has been found at the center of the South temple, which is an indicator that the site was reused as a Bronze Age cremation cemetery.
The visit was most amazing and I was so taken by the skills and dedication of our predecessors to create something that would last over 5,000 years.
When we were exiting I saw some archeologists working on a dig….they saw me taking a photograph and bent into the dig and began to yell with excitement and then popped up holding a spoon…..
……love people with a sense of humor!!!
Tales and Travels of the Tinman 
I read about this site over 5,000 years old, Tin Man, and think about what we are building today. Very little would survive, or is worth surviving. And, they call us the advanced civilization! XX V.
So very agreed! I wanted so to click my heels together to just get a glimpse of what the place was like back in the day!
What a wonderful tour you have given us of these ruins! It is amazing that they were constructed so beautifully without even a small computer. I am reminded a bit of the Mayan ruins. What fun to capture archeologists at work and one in a Batman t-shirt! A five-star post, Tin Man.
Yes, Jo Nell it was so fun to watch the archeologists at work and I loved their sense of humor and the batman shirt. The carvings and floor-wall construction also reminded me of the Mayan ruins. So happy you enjoyed!!
Seeing such ruins always leaves me shaking my head in wonder. How were such amazing structures accomplished in times with no sophisticated technology. When you stop and think about it mankind has done some extraordinary things.
I so very agree with you. Especially to consider that the carvings were done with deer antlers and stones…..no metal tools. I am always filled with wonderment when visiting ancient sites.