Temples of Malta

Ventura, Frank; Hoskin, Michael

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84615

Title:	Temples of Malta
Other Titles:	Frank Ventura : reaching for the stars with a passion for science and education
Authors:	Ventura, Frank Hoskin, Michael
Keywords:	Temples -- Malta Megalithic temples -- Malta Neolithic period -- Malta Mnajdra Temples (Qrendi, Malta)
Issue Date:	2018
Publisher:	University of Malta. Faculty of Education
Citation:	Ventura, F., & Hoskin, M. (2018). Temples of Malta. In D. A. Chetcuti, M. A. Buhagiar, & M. M. Musumeci (eds.), Frank Ventura : reaching for the stars with a passion for science and education (pp. 233-243). Malta: University of Malta. Faculty of Education.
Abstract:	The unique Neolithic temples of Malta have a distinctive orientation toward the range SE-SSW (except for the Mnajdra South Temple which faces E). However, the motive for this preferred direction is not clear. If the motive was astronomical, then the builders could have targeted the bright stars of the Southern Cross and Centaurus. If the opposite direction is taken, then the target could have been the temple builders' ancestral home in Sicily and the surrounding islands. The orientation of the Mnajdra South Temple is remarkable and suggests an alignment with either sunrise midway between the solstices or the heliacal rising of the Pleiades around 3000 BC. The evidence for these alternatives is discussed.
Description:	Original citation: Ventura, F., & Hoskin, M. (2015). Temples of Malta. In C.L.N. Ruggles (Ed.), Handbook of archaeoastronomy and ethnoastronomy (pp. 1421- 1430). New York: Springer.
URI:	https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84615
Appears in Collections:	Frank Ventura : reaching for the stars with a passion for science and education

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