Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace
Late Neolithic Temple Period (3600-2500 BCE)·Temple Period·🇲🇹 Malta, Tarxien, Malta
About
About Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace
Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace in Malta, Tarxien, Malta is a Late Neolithic Temple Period (3600-2500 BCE) temple complex attributed to Temple Period. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal platform 3 × 3 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 35.8546N 14.4998E controls access to Malta, Tarxien resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey temple-complex for Malta, Tarxien, illustrating Temple Period construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Scale of population vs agricultural catchment
- 02Ritual vs domestic use
Theories
- 01Tribal capital and ritual aggregation
- 02Seasonal gathering locus
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3000 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic Temple Period (3600-2500 BCE)
- Culture
- Temple Period
- Purpose
- Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus with stratified deposits
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3000 BCE
Initial construction of Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace main structure
c. 1445 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
35.8546° N · 14.4998° E · 8 m · 3 mapped features
Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace — Main Temple-Complex Feature
cairnPrimary cairn at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
35.8547° N · 14.4981° ETarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace — Secondary Enclosure
plazaAncillary plaza at Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
35.8546° N · 14.4986° ETarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art Panel
reservoirOutlier reservoir panel linked to Tarxien Central Temple Outlier Court — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape
35.8550° N · 14.4994° E