Saflieni phase

The Saflieni phase (3000-2500 BC) of Malta's prehistory[1] was named after the Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni. The hypogeum and part of the Ta' Ħaġrat temple complex both date from this period.

This phase evolved from the Ġgantija phase (3600–3200 BC)[1], and led to the Tarxien phase (3150-2500 BC).[2]

Ħal Saflieni overview

Main article: Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni

The Hypogeum in Paola, Malta, is a subterranean structure thought to have originally been a sanctuary. It became a necropolis in prehistoric times.[3] It is the only prehistoric underground temple in the world and was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.[3]

Amongst various features of importance, a petrosomatoglyph of a human hand[4] and an iconic statuette called the Sleeping Lady[4] have been discovered in the hypogeum.

Citations

  1. ^ a b http://users.aber.ac.uk/jpg/malta/arch.html Archeology and Prehistory
  2. ^ http://www.odysseyadventures.ca/articles/malta_temples/maltemples_settlement.htm Prehistoric Settlements of Malta
  3. ^ a b http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/130 UNESCO
  4. ^ a b http://www.heritagemalta.org/hypogeum.html Heritage Malta