Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court
Late Neolithic Temple Period (3600-2500 BCE)·Temple Period·🇲🇹 Malta, Tarxien, Malta
About
About Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court
Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court in Malta, Tarxien, Malta is a Late Neolithic Temple Period (3600-2500 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 4 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 35.8552N 14.5090E controls access to Malta, Tarxien 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, Tarxien, illustrating Temple Period construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
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. 3000 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic Temple Period (3600-2500 BCE)
- Culture
- Temple Period
- Purpose
- Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus with stratified deposits
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3000 BCE
Initial construction of Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court main structure
c. 1205 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
35.8552° N · 14.5090° E · 28 m · 4 mapped features
- Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Main Temple-Complex FeaturehydraulicPrimary hydraulic at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — platform mound with stratified deposits35.8565° N · 14.5071° E
- Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Secondary EnclosurenecropolisAncillary necropolis at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits35.8547° N · 14.5089° E
- Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Outlier Rock Art PaneltempleOutlier temple panel linked to Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court ceremonial landscape35.8564° N · 14.5107° E
- Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Hydraulic/Cistern AnnexchamberHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court with plastered basin35.8559° N · 14.5091° E