The Tas-Silġ is a rounded hilltop in Zejtun, Malta, overlooking the head of Marsaxlokk-Bay[1]. Tas-Silġ is a multi-period sanctuary site[2] covering all eras from Neolithic to the fourth century AD.
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Due to its various settlements along different periods, Tas-Silġ indicates to archaeologists several different layers of excavation.
The first temple was one of the Tarxien period (3000 B.C.-2500 B.C.) as shown by pottery and lithics, and a standing fat lady[1] founded in the deepest layer.
Above this Tarxien temple, there is a Bronze Age settlement, as shown by the associated sherds and stone tools.
The following Punic temple incorporated upstanding remains of earlier temples and reveals a D-shaped setting of irregular blocks. It is the sanctuary to Juno (Astarte of the Phoenicians) mentioned in Cicero’s Verrine Orations[2]. On this layer the main finding is a threshold slab pierced by three libation holes; it divided the eastern part of the temple and the western side. Other evidence from the Bronze Age consists of the large amount of handiwork[2].
Later again, in the 4th century AD, a monastery were built there. It was established just outside the horseshoe-shaped setting of ancient blocks. It just may be then the fat lady was deliberately defaced and buried in a hollow[1].
An Italian Mission led a first excavation in 1963-72[1] identifying the sanctuary, then in 1996 Malta University started its own excavation project[2] to clean other layers of sediments. The site is shield by a cover to preserve it from further erosion. Heritage Malta runs the conservation of Tas-Silġ but unfortunately it is closed to public up to now.