Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace
Late Neolithic (3600-3200 BCE)·Temple Period·🇲🇹 Malta, Gozo, Malta
About
About Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace
Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace 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 5 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 36.0421N 14.2683E 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
- 01Nature of burial rites and population
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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 — Western Terrace main structure
c. 1287 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0421° N · 14.2683° E · 110 m · 3 mapped features
Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace — Main Temple-Complex Feature
templePrimary temple at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
36.0434° N · 14.2695° EGgantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace — Secondary Enclosure
chamberAncillary chamber at Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace — burial gallery with stratified deposits
36.0405° N · 14.2694° EGgantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art Panel
cairnOutlier cairn panel linked to Ggantija North Temple Forecourt — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape
36.0411° N · 14.2675° E