This site had two neolithic buildings each covered by a large tarp like structure. These buildings are sometimes called temples but the scale and complexity of them implies that there were more likely community centers or perhaps royal palaces. For the last 50 years they were recognized as the oldest free standing buildings in the world. Only recently has a site in Turkey supplanted this distinction. The latest dating has put the construction around 5800 BCE. That is 500 years before the first pyramid, 1000 years before the great pyramids and 2000 years before Stonehenge. The quality of the workmanship and the sheer size of the blocks is seen as evidence that the civilization that created these sites were not advanced enough to make them without help. The theories that arise include giants, giant aliens or a a human civilization that was much more advanced in pre-history but subsequently collapsed. We were not able to uncover any new evidence so these theories will have to remain untested.
These sites were on the Grand Tour during the renaissance days and several artists at the time sketched them. These have been used as a guides during the excavations and explorations.
In the visitor center many things were explained
Decorative stones have been brough inside to protect them from the elements
A fertility figure
This display showed the astronomical alignments for Mnajada. The summer solstice is the center line and the spring and fall equinoxes are to the right and left. The alignments no longer mark the actual dates of these events but simulations show that in 10.000 BCE the were perfectly aligned. This time frame places these sites to the Younger Dryas global cooling event.
The Hagar Qim alignment to the spring equinox is shown on the right side
The large canvas covering
Some of the stones are very intricare
The tallest stone was over 20 feet tall and the archeologists suggest that this was the height of the entire complex
A portal into the oracle room
Very detailed construction
The top stones gradually angle into the center supporting the theory that these buildings were covered
An illustration of how the roof must have been constructed
This is the hole that the sun shone through at the solstice
The birdsong was non stop as the sparrows have adopted this structure as their nesting grounds
Some of the rocks are scaffolded
Looking out to the offshore island
A very large complex
Earlier constructions
Altars, arches and several round rooms
Very flat walkways
Some areas are less preserved than others
These blocks can weigh up to 30 tons
Some surfaces has this dimpling
Heading over to the Mnajada site
A long ramp downhill
The Mnjada sit is a bit smaller
Just as impressive
Huge slabs
Intricately combined to make rooms
Animal bones were attributed to animal sacrifices
You can see how long this hallway is
The limestone finishing was probably nicer in the past and may have had a coat of plaster and red ochre
The paving stones are also impressive
LArge slabs braced up with smaller rocks
Entrance to a raised circular room
Altars?
Very impressive stone work
Another portal stone
This is the main opening
In this window the light from the spring solstice sunrise would fill the small opening
Two statues once graces this slab
There was an illustration to help the viewer
At our lunch spot we are shown the local flora and fauna
Lunch time
Snails
Flowers everywhere
Yellow
Red
White
Tiny blue flowers
Thistles
And more snails
A delightful burst of nature for our lunch companion
