archaeoastronomical sites 2
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Megalithic Temples of Malta
Location of Megalithic Temples of UNESCO World Heritage Sites within Malta Location of megalithic temples and artefacts outside UNESCO World Heritage Sites within Malta The Megalithic Temples of Malta are the oldest free-standing structures on Earth . [ 1 ] [ dubious ] Eleven prehistoric monuments, of which seven are UNESCO World Heritage Sites , were built during three distinct time periods between 5000BC and 700BC approximately. [ 2 ] Archaeologists believe that these megalithic complexes are the result of local innovations in a process of cultural evolution. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] This led to the building of several temples of the Ġgantija phase (3600-3000 BC), culminating in the large Tarxien temple complex , which remained in use until 2500 BC. After this date, the temple building culture disappeared. [ 5 ] [ 6 ]
UNESCO has designated the main Megalithic Temples of Malta and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum as WORLD HERITAGE SITES. The following is an extract from the Reports of the 4th (1980) and the 16th (1992) Sessions of the Committee: Seven megalithic temples are to be found on the islands of Malta and Gozo, each a result of an individual development. The Ggantija complex on the island of Gozo is remarkable for its superhuman achievements dating from [the Bronze Age] 3,600 BCE On the island of Malta, the temples of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces, given the very limited resources of their builders. The Ta' Hagrat and Skorba complexes bear witness to the development of the temple tradition in Malta.
The Megalithic Temples of Malta
Megalithic Temples of Malta
Brief Description Seven megalithic temples are found on the islands of Malta and Gozo, each the result of an individual development. The two temples of Ggantija on the island of Gozo are notable for their gigantic Bronze Age structures. On the island of Malta, the temples of Hagar Qin, Mnajdra and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces, given the limited resources available to their builders. The Ta'Hagrat and Skorba complexes show how the tradition of temple-building was handed down in Malta. Temples mégalithiques de Malte
Prehistoric Temples Of Malta
The prehistoric temples of Malta are unique in all the world. They are the oldest standing stone structures which remain to us from ancient times. The temples date from 4000 - 2500 BC.Mnajdra
Mnajdra is a megalithic temple complex found on the southern coast of the Mediterranean island of Malta . Mnajdra is approximately 500 metres 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 , [ 1 ] described by the World Heritage Sites committee as "unique architectural masterpieces." [ 2 ] In 1992 UNESCO recognized the Mnajdra complex and four other Maltese megalithic structures as UNESCO World Heritage Sites . [ 3 ] In 2009 work was completed on a protective tent. [ 4 ] [ edit ] Design Interior of the megalithic structure Mnajdra is made of coralline limestone , which is much harder than the soft globigerina limestone of Ħaġar Qim.
The Mnajdra Temples are three conjoined Neolithic temples on the southern coast of Malta. Dating from about 3000 BC, Mnajdra ("mna-ee-dra") is reminiscent of the even earlier complex at Ggantija on Gozo. Mnajdra is less than 1 km downhill from the Hagar Qim temple complex. The two complexes seem to have built at different times, and their relationship is not known.
Mnajdra Temples - Qrendi, Malta
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza ( pron.: / tʃ iː ˈ tʃ ɛ n iː ˈ t s ɑː / , [ 1 ] Spanish : Chichén Itzá [tʃiˈtʃen iˈtsa] , from Yucatec Maya : Chi'ch'èen Ìitsha' [tɕʰɨɪʼtɕʼeːn˧˩ iː˧˩tsʰaʲ] ; [ 2 ] "at the mouth of the well of the Itza ") was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya civilization . The archaeological site is located in the municipality of Tinum, in the Mexican state of Yucatán . [ 3 ] Chichen Itza was a major focal point in the northern Maya lowlands from the Late Classic (c. AD 600–900) through the Terminal Classic (c.AD 800–900) and into the early portion of the Early Postclassic period (c.Monte Albán
Monte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca (17.043° N, 96.767°W). The site is located on a low mountainous range rising above the plain in the central section of the Valley of Oaxaca where the latter's northern Etla , eastern Tlacolula , and southern Zimatlán & Ocotlán (or Valle Grande ) branches meet. The present-day state capital Oaxaca City is located approximately 9 km (6 mi) east of Monte Albán.
Monte Alban was the ancient capital of the Zapotecs and one of the first cities in Mesoamerica. During it's epoch, it was one of the most populated. It was founded approximately 500 years BC and flourished until 750 AD. Located in the central valley of Oaxaca, Monte Alban exercised political, economic, and ideological control over the other communities and surrounding mountains.
Monte Alban - Archaeological Zones of Oaxaca, Mexico
Monte Alban
Monte Alban - The Sacred Mountain It is believed that Monte Alban was actually named in the 16th century after the Spanish landowner's surname "Montalvan". The previous names for the city were the Mixtec name "Sahandevul" which means "At the Foot of the Sky", and another variation which is derived from the older Zapotecan language, "Danibaan" or Sacred Mountain". Who built Monte Alban? What is known about the history of the region is that 4000 years ago, a village-dwelling people of unknown origin (believed by many to have been Olmec colonies) moved into the Oaxaca valleys. Then, around 500 BC (1500 years later) a new people (the Zapotecans) moved into the region.Dzibilchaltun
Temple of the Seven Dolls Sacbe at Dzibilchaltun Interior of the Temple of the Seven Dolls Cenote at DzibilchaltunDzibilchaltun
Dzibilchaltún Dzibilchaltún was the center for salt trade since the Temple of the Seven Dolls. Dzibilchaltún was built around 200A.D. and was inhabited until the time of the Spanish Conquest. This site is home to a natural reserve, forests, cactus plants and palms. The city was discovered around 1540 but the only excavated structure was the Temple of the Seven Dolls (Templo de las Siete Muñecas).Coordinates : Teotihuacan ( pronounced /ˈtɛɔˌtiwɑˈkɑn/ ), [ 1 ] also written Teotihuacán , is an enormous archaeological site in the Basin of Mexico , 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Mexico City , containing some of the largest Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas . The name means "where man met the gods." Apart from the pyramids, Teotihuacan is also known for its large residential complexes, the Avenue of the Dead, and numerous colorful, well-preserved murals .
Teotihuacan
Uxmal ( Yucatec Maya : Óoxmáal [óˑʃmáˑl] ) is an ancient Maya city of the classical period. Today it is one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture, along with those of Caracol , Xunantunich , Chichen Itza and Tikal . It is located in the Puuc region and is considered one of the Maya cities most representative of the region's dominant architectural style. It is located 62 km south of Mérida , capital of Yucatán state in Mexico . Its buildings are noted for their size and decoration.