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{{Short description|Megalithic temple complex in Malta}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}

factoids

|location = Qrendi, Malta
|region =
|type = Temple
|length =
|width =
|area =
|height =
|builder =
|material = Limestone
|built = c.3600 BC–c.3200 BC
|abandoned =
|epochs = Ä gantija phaseTarxien phase
|cultures =
|dependency_of =
|occupants =
|event =
|excavations = 1840–1954
|archaeologists = J. G. VanceThemistocles ZammitJohn Davies Evans
|condition = Well-preserved ruins
|ownership = Government of Malta
|management = Heritage Malta
|public_access = Yes
|website = {{URLweblink|Heritage Malta}}
|notes =









| 13 (left above)

factoids
child	yes| part_of = Megalithic Temples of Malta (iv)| ID = 132ter-003| year = 1980| extension = 1992, 2015	0.563	sqft|abbr=on}} }} }}Mnajdra () is a megalithic temple complex found on the southern coast of the Mediterranean island of Malta. Mnajdra is approximately {{Convert|497|m|yd}} from the Ħaġar Qim megalithic complex. Mnajdra was built around the fourth millennium BCE; the Megalithic Temples of Malta are among the most ancient religious sites on Earth,WEB,weblink Malta Temples and The OTS Foundation, Otsf.org, 2009-05-05, described by the World Heritage Sites committee as "unique architectural masterpieces."from the Reports of the 4th (1980) and the 16th (1992) Sessions of the Committee In 1992 UNESCO recognized the Mnajdra complex and four other Maltese megalithic structures as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.WEB,weblink Megalithic Temples of Malta - UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Whc.unesco.org, 2009-05-05, In 2009 work was completed on a protective tent.WEB,weblink Prehistoric temples get futuristic roof, Times of Malta, 2009-04-07, 2009-07-02,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090410070406weblink">weblink 10 April 2009, dead, Design (File:Mnajdra 01.jpg|thumb|400px|center|Upper temple panoramic)(File:Mnajdra 03.jpg|thumb|400px|center|Low temple panoramic)Mnajdra is made of coralline limestone, which is much harder than the soft globigerina limestone of Ħaġar Qim. The main structural systems used in the temples are corbelling with smaller stones, and post and lintel construction using large slabs of limestone.The cloverleaf plan of Mnajdra appears more regular than that of Ħagar Qim, and seems reminiscent of the earlier complex at Ggantija. The prehistoric structure consists of three temples, conjoined, but not connected: the upper, middle, and lower.WEB, Gunther, Michael D., Plan Of The Temple Complex At Mnajdra,weblink art-and-archaeology.com, WEB,weblink Mnajdra Temples, Malta, Sacred-destinations.com, 2009-05-05, The upper temple is the oldest structure in the Mnajdra complex and dates to the Ggantija phase (3600-3200 BC).WEB,weblink Heritage Malta, Heritage Malta, 2013-03-26, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130301074313weblink">weblink 2013-03-01, It is a three-apsed building, the central apse opening blocked by a low screen wall. The pillar-stones were decorated with pitmarks drilled in horizontal rows on the inner surface.WEB,weblink Places of Interest - Mnajdra, Maltavoyager.com, 1927-03-04, 2009-05-05, The middle temple was built (or possibly rebuilt) in the late Tarxien phase (3150 – 2500 BC), the main central doorway of which is formed by a hole cut into a large piece of limestone set upright, a type of construction typical of other megalithic doorways in Malta. This temple appears originally to have had a vaulted ceiling, but only the base of the ceiling now remain on top of the walls WEB, National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150923212403weblink">weblink dead, 23 September 2015, Government of Malta, 23 March 2013, and, in fact, is the most recent structure. It is formed of slabs topped by horizontal courses.The lowest temple, built in the early Tarxien phase, is the most impressive and possibly the best example of Maltese megalithic architecture. It has a large forecourt containing stone benches, an entrance passage covered by horizontal slabs, one of which has survived, and the remains of a possibly domed roof.WEB,weblink ĦaÄ¡ar Qim and Mnajdra (2), Beautytruegood.co.uk, 2009-05-05, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110905060840weblink">weblink 2011-09-05, The temple is decorated with spiral carvings and indentations, and pierced by windows, some into smaller rooms and one onto an arrangement of stones. Functions (File:Bearbeiteter Kalkstein in Mnajdra.JPG|thumb|upright|Dressed limestone)The lowest temple is astronomically aligned and thus was probably used as an astronomical observation and/or calendrical site.WEB,weblink Malta, Sacredsites.com, 2009-05-05, On the vernal and the autumnal equinox sunlight passes through the main doorway and lights up the major axis. On the solstices sunlight illuminates the edges of megaliths to the left and right of this doorway.WEB,weblink Equinox at Mnajdra Temples » Chris and Marika's Online Journal, Chrisf.com.au, 2004-09-22, 2009-05-05, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090430005220weblink">weblink 2009-04-30, Although there are no written records to indicate the purpose of these structures, archaeologists have inferred their use from ceremonial objects found within them: sacrificial flint knives and rope holes that were possibly used to constrain animals for sacrifice (since various animal bones were found).{{fact|date=January 2016}} These structures were not used as tombs since no human remains were found.WEB,weblink Hypogeum,Tarxien & Malta as tip of Atlantis, Carnaval.com, 2002-06-22, 2009-05-05, The temples contain furniture such as stone benches and tables that give clues to their use. Many artifacts were recovered from within the temples suggesting that these temples were used for religious purposes, perhaps to heal illness and/or to promote fertility. Calendar stone (File:Kalenderstein.Mnajdra.png|thumb|upright=2|Sketch of the rows of holes on the calendar stone of Mnajdra)One of the stones displays a lot of drilled holes arranged in different right-aligned rows that can be linked to several periods determined by the moon.Der Kalenderstein vom Tempel Mnajdra. Wikibook Die Himmelstafel von Tal-Qadi. Retrieved 2020-08-16{| class="wikitable"|+ Rows with holes on the calendar stone of the temple of Mnajdra in Malta!title="Row"| Row!title="Number of holes"| Number of holes!title="Possible use"| Possible use
	| For the 19 years of the Metonic cycle (235 synodic, 255 draconic, 254 siderial month respectively 6940 days).After this period the moon has the same lunar phase and the same ecliptic latitude andthe same ecliptic longitude (eg in the Golden Gate of the Ekliptic or in the equinox).
2	16 (right)	rowspan=2 | For the 16 days from old moon (still visible) until full moon and the 13 days from full moon until next old moon,together 29 days, the number of full days within a synodic month (29.5 days).After this period the moon has the same lunar phase again.
3	3 + 4 (right)= 7	For the 7 full days of a moon quarter (7.4 days) respectively of a week.
	| For the 3 already completed moon quarters within the current month.
	| For the 25 waxing or waning moons (each 14.8 days) within a tropical year (365.2 days).
	| For the 11 additional days in a tropical year (365.2 days) in comparison to twelve synodic month (354.4 days).
	| For the 24 waxing respectively waning moons within twelve synodic month (354.4 days)plus an incomplete month until the end of the appropriate tropical year (365.2 days).
	| For the 53 weeks within a tropical year (365.2 days) respectivelyfrom a heliacal ascent or descent of the Pleiades (or stars) to the next one.

Excavations and recent history

(File:Malta 16 Mnajdra.jpg|thumb|right|140px|The temple complex)The excavations of the Mnajdra temples were performed under the direction of J.G. Vance in 1840, one year after the discovery of Ħagar Qim. In 1871, James Fergusson designed the first plan of the megalithic structure. The plan was quite inaccurate and hence in 1901, Albert Mayr made the first accurate plan which was based on his findings.Alfie Guillaumier, Bliet u Rhula Maltin, Malta 1972 In 1910, Thomas Ashby performed further investigations which resulted in the collection of the important archaeological material. Further excavations were performed in December 1949, in which two small statues, two large bowls, tools and one large spherical stone, which was probably used to move the temple's large stones, were discovered.The temple was included on the Antiquities List of 1925.WEB, Protection of Antiquities Regulations 21st November, 1932 Government Notice 402 of 1932, as Amended by Government Notices 127 of 1935 and 338 of 1939.,weblink Malta Environment and Planning Authority,weblink 19 April 2016, dead, Mnajdra was vandalized on 13 April 2001, when at least three people armed with crowbars toppled or broke about 60 megaliths, and inscribed graffiti on them. The attack was called "the worst act of vandalism ever committed on the island of Malta" by UNESCO.WEB, Director-General shocked by vandalism of megalithic Mnajdra Temple in Malta,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080612171257weblink">weblink dead, 12 June 2008, UNESCO, 16 December 2014, 18 April 2001, The damage to the temples was initially considered irreparable,NEWS, Vandals cause 'irreparable' damage to Mnajdra temple,weblink 16 December 2014, The Megalithic Portal, 16 April 2001, but they were restored using new techniques making it difficult to tell where the megaliths had been damaged. The temples were reopened to the public in 2002.NEWS, Massa, Ariadne, Recent technique used in restoring Mnajdra temples,weblink 16 December 2014, Times of Malta, MaltaMigration.com, 11 April 2002, The 1, 2 and 5 cent Maltese euro coins, minted since 2008, bear a representation of the Mnajdra temples on their obverse side.A protective shelter was constructed around Mnajdra (along with Ħaġar Qim) in 2009.

Contemporary interpretations

Anthropologist Kathryn Rountree has explored how "Malta’s neolithic temples", including Ġgantija, "have been interpreted, contested and appropriated by different local and foreign interest groups: those working in the tourist industry, intellectuals and Maltese nationalists, hunters, archaeologists, artists, and participants in the global Goddess movement."JOURNAL, Rountree, Kathryn, 2002, Re-inventing Malta's neolithic temples: Contemporary interpretations and agendas,weblink History and Anthropology, 13, 31–51, 10.1080/02757200290002879, 154790343, ResearchGate, subscription, One source from the early years of the twenty-first century speculates that the clover-shape of Mnajdra (presumably the Upper Temple) may represent "the present, past and future (or birth, life and death)", while the solar alignment could mean that "the Sun's Male-energy is also given an honored place in these temples", and that "mother earth was represented by statuettes while father sun was venerated through this temple alignment."WEB, Malta's NeolithicTemples,weblink 2021-03-28, www.carnaval.com,

Gallery

File:Mnajdra.jpg|A total view of the structureFile:Malta 24 Mnajdra.jpg|Ruins of the upper (oldest) templeFile:Mnajdra graffito temple.jpg|An important graffito representing a roofed megalithic temple found in MnajdraFile:Schematic Angles in the Mnajdra solar temple.tif|Solar anglesFile:Map of the Mnajdra temples.tif|Map of the Mnajdra templeFile:Mnajdra tent 2009 06 27.jpg|Protective tent around the site

See also

• Ä gantija
• ĦaÄ¡ar Qim
• Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni
• List of megalithic sites
• Tarxien Temples

References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150923212403weblink">National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands
• Maltavoyager.com Mnajdra Special Feature
• Pictures of Mnajdra
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120512012434weblink">Prehistoric Mnajdra
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130903090025weblink">Heritage Malta's Mnajdra site
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110721231401weblink">Panoramic View of Mnajdra @ Places of Interest

{{European megaliths}}