Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier
Late Neolithic (3600-3200 BCE)·Temple Period·🇲🇹 Malta, Gozo, Malta
About
About Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier
Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier in Malta, Gozo, Malta is a Late Neolithic (3600-3200 BCE) temple complex attributed to Temple Period. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal platform 8 × 4 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 36.0465N 14.2779E controls access to Malta, Gozo resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey temple-complex for Malta, Gozo, illustrating Temple Period construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Tribal capital and ritual aggregation
- 02Seasonal gathering locus
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3500 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic (3600-3200 BCE)
- Culture
- Temple Period
- Purpose
- Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus with stratified deposits
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3500 BCE
Initial construction of Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier main structure
c. 1007 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0465° N · 14.2779° E · 97 m · 3 mapped features
Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier — Main Temple-Complex Feature
necropolisPrimary necropolis at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
36.0480° N · 14.2788° EGgantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier — Secondary Enclosure
templeAncillary temple at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
36.0480° N · 14.2780° EGgantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier — Outlier Rock Art Panel
chamberOutlier chamber panel linked to Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Eastern Outlier ceremonial landscape
36.0446° N · 14.2792° E