Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension
Late Neolithic (3600-3200 BCE)·Temple Period·🇲🇹 Malta, Gozo, Malta
About
About Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension
Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension 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 enclosure 6 × 3 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 36.0540N 14.2686E 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
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
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
- Partially excavated
c. 3500 BCE
Initial construction of Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension main structure
c. 974 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension
1998–2012
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0540° N · 14.2686° E · 108 m · 4 mapped features
Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension — Main Temple-Complex Feature
hydraulicPrimary hydraulic at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension — platform mound with stratified deposits
36.0543° N · 14.2703° EGgantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension — Secondary Enclosure
necropolisAncillary necropolis at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
36.0527° N · 14.2672° EGgantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension — Outlier Rock Art Panel
templeOutlier temple panel linked to Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension ceremonial landscape
36.0545° N · 14.2691° EGgantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension — Hydraulic/Cistern Annex
chamberHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Southern Extension with plastered basin
36.0553° N · 14.2682° E