Santa Verna

For the town in Malta, see Santa Venera.
Santa Verna
Shown within Malta
Location Xagħra, Gozo, Malta
Coordinates 36°2′44.1″N 14°15′31″E / 36.045583°N 14.25861°E / 36.045583; 14.25861Coordinates: 36°2′44.1″N 14°15′31″E / 36.045583°N 14.25861°E / 36.045583; 14.25861
Type Temple
Village
Part of Megalithic Temples of Malta
History
Material Limestone
Founded c.5000 BC (earliest remains)
c.3400 BC (temple)
Periods Għar Dalam phase
Ġgantija phase
Site notes
Excavation dates 1908–1961
Archaeologists T. Eric Peet
Thomas Ashby
R. N. Bradley
David H. Trump
Condition Ruins

Santa Verna is a megalithic site in Xagħra on the island of Gozo, Malta. The site was originally occupied by a village and a megalithic temple. Although the temple is in poor condition now, in ancient times it was probably one of the major temples in the Maltese islands. The site takes its name from a chapel dedicated to Saint Venera that once stood close to the temple.[1]

Site

Santa Verna was originally a prehistoric village, and the earliest pottery remains date back to around 5000 BC, during the Għar Dalam phase.[2] The temple itself was built in the following centuries and it had a trefoil shape, which was typical of the time. In its heyday, Santa Verna was probably an important temple, which rivaled other major temples such as Ġgantija, Tarxien and Ħaġar Qim.[3]

The only remains of the temple that survive today are three upright megaliths, another three horizontal blocks lining their eastern side, and the earth floor which makes it possible to see the temple's original outline.[4]

Excavations

The megalithic remains at Santa Verna were found by Nikola Said, a worker at the Public Works Department.[5] They were also noted by the archaeologist Manuel Magri in the early 20th century.[6] The site was excavated in 1908 by T. Eric Peet, and again in 1911 by Thomas Ashby and R. N. Bradley. During the excavations, two complete skeletons and several incomplete ones were found, including one of a child. Many smaller artifacts were also found during the excavations.

Another excavation was made in 1961 by David H. Trump, when the remains of the village that predates the temple were found.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Santa Verna". xaghraparish.org. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Santa Verna". web.infinito.it. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "Santa Verna Ancient Temple". megalithic.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Santa Verna". Maltese Ring. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Santa Verna". xaghra.com. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  6. ↑ Bugeja, Anton. "Fr Emmanuel Magri and the antiquities of Gozo". mhs.eu.pn. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Santa Verna Temple". visitgozo.com. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
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