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Spanning only 313 square kilometers (121 mi), Malta ranks among the world's tiniest yet most densely populated nations. This Mediterranean island also hosts the oldest freestanding structures in the world and is filled with enduring secrets.
With a history stretching over 7,000 years, Malta has been home to civilizations such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, the Muslim Emirate of Sicily, and Crusaders from the Holy Roman Empire. The story of Malta’s mysteries mirrors the broader history of the Mediterranean and beyond.
10. Cippi of Melqart
In 1694, the Knights of St. John unearthed two decorative pillars called the Cippi of Melqart in the village of Marsaxlokk. These pillars featured inscriptions that enabled linguists to decipher the ancient and enigmatic Phoenician language.
The Cippi were dedicated to Melqart, the Phoenician god of life and death. Around 500 BC, the Greeks began to associate Melqart with their own god Hercules. The Greeks and Phoenicians collaborated to construct a Maltese temple at the Tas-Silg site, where the Cippi of Melqart were found, to honor Hercules/Melqart.
Carved from white marble, the Cippi of Melqart stand at 1 meter ( ft) tall. Like many ornamental pillars, they bear inscriptions: three lines of Greek text and four lines in Phoenician. A French archaeologist finally unlocked the Cippi’s hidden tribute to Melqart in 1758. These pillars were key in deciphering the Phoenician language.
9. Temple of the Giants
The megalithic structures of Malta predate both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. These enormous temples were constructed between 5500 and 2500 BC. Radiocarbon dating of human remains and pottery found nearby has helped determine their age. Situated on the island of Gozo, Ggantija is the oldest freestanding structure in the world. Legend has it that giants were responsible for building this colossal site.
Excavated for the first time in 1827, the Ggantija temples are located on the Xaghra plateau, facing southeast. The exterior is built with enormous limestone blocks, with slabs as tall as 8 meters (26 ft) covering the structure. The interior walls consist of rough limestone pieces, likely once smoothed with clay and a thin layer of lime plaster.
8. Phoenician Shipwreck
Off Malta’s coast, archaeologists uncovered a Phoenician shipwreck dating back 2,700 years. Not only is it the oldest shipwreck discovered in the central Mediterranean, but its cargo hold remains almost completely intact.
The wreck was discovered at a depth of 120 meters (390 ft) about 1.6 kilometers (1 mi) from Gozo’s coast. Based on the contents of the ship’s cargo, experts suspect it was heading to Sicily when it met its untimely demise. The exact location of the wreck remains undisclosed by researchers.
To date, over 50 amphorae and nearly 20 35-kilogram (77 lb) grinding stones have been recovered. Seven distinct types of amphorae were found, indicating the ship likely made stops at multiple ports before its ill-fated final journey.
The Phoenicians originated in what is now modern-day Lebanon. Yet their trade empire spanned the entire Mediterranean. Their dominance was built on their exceptional skill at sea. Much about these enigmatic ancient traders remains a mystery.
7. Mysterious Cart Ruts
Malta is home to puzzling “cart ruts.” These curious parallel tracks carved into the island’s limestone appear to be man-made, but their origin remains unknown. Some of these tracks end abruptly at sheer rock cliffs, while others are submerged underwater. A prevalent theory suggests they were designed as a system to collect water.
Most of the cart ruts are believed to have originated during the Bronze Age around 200 BC when Sicilian settlers arrived in Malta. One theory suggests that these tracks were created as early inhabitants transported large objects using carts and sleds. These vehicles would have left deep furrows in the topsoil, which deepened over time.
It is improbable that the ruts were intended for irrigation purposes, as parallel channels would not serve that function. The cart ruts near Dingli Cliffs lend support to the sled theory, as many of them lead directly to a rock quarry.
6. Temple People of Malta
For over a thousand years, Malta’s Temple people constructed more than 30 stone temple complexes across their small island. This culture evolved in complete isolation, growing increasingly extreme in its practices as it progressed, seemingly unaffected by external influences.
The temple complexes feature both ritual and burial sites, alongside hundreds of statues. The origins of this advanced culture remain a mystery, as does its sudden disappearance.
The Temple people were not annihilated by invasion, disease, or famine. Yet around 2900 BC, they mysteriously vanished. Without written records, we are left to piece together their history.
Isotope analysis of human remains has shown that their diet consisted primarily of meat and vegetables. Strangely, given their island location, seafood was scarcely part of their meals. Some speculate that rapid climate change brought the era of the Temple people to a close, but further research is needed to confirm this theory.
5. College Catacombs
While expanding the fields of St. Paul Missionary College, workers stumbled upon ancient catacombs. Within, they found the remains of at least eight individuals, including a baby. Remarkably, the graves had not been disturbed by grave robbers. The chambers were carved directly into the stone, and infants were placed in burial shelves—small tombs sealed with plaster.
The identities of the deceased remain unknown. It would be inaccurate to call them “Maltese,” as this term is modern. The catacombs date back 2,000 years to the Roman era.
Nevertheless, the location and contents of these tombs suggest the region was transitioning from a Carthaginian colony into a Roman province. Two thousand years ago, Malta was home to a significant Jewish population, as well as various merchants and settlers from other regions.
4. Vandalized Megaliths Of Mnajdra
The Mnajdra temple complex is situated on Malta’s remote and rugged southern coastline, with origins tracing back to 3600 BC. One of the most remarkable features of this ancient site is its builders’ remarkable focus on astronomy.
The architects designed the site to align with celestial events. The entrance to the southern temple is adorned with large stone blocks, each etched with hundreds of drilled indentations. These structures are specifically positioned to mark the solstices and equinoxes.
In 2000, vandals destroyed about 60 megaliths at the Mnajdra temple complex. The most likely culprits are migratory bird hunters who used the ancient stones to construct huts. These vandals also cut through the security fence surrounding the site.
In 2009, specialists opted to cover the site with Teflon-coated tents. These coverings shield the ancient site from the harsh weather and corrosive salt air, which were slowly eroding the stone structures.
3. 110 Hz Healing
The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni in Malta is considered the world’s oldest known underground temple. This 5,000-year-old subterranean sanctuary is especially renowned for its remarkable acoustics.
Many people compare the experience of being in the hypogeum to standing beneath a giant bell. Specific sound frequencies reverberate through the body as much as they do through the ears, creating a mesmerizing effect on those present.
Maltese composer Ruben Zahra, alongside an Italian research team, discovered that sounds within the hypogeum resonate at 110 Hz. This particular frequency has also been noted at other ancient sites, including Ireland’s New Grange.
A 2008 study from UCLA found that sounds at 110 Hz alter brain activity, specifically within the prefrontal cortex. This change results in reduced linguistic processing and heightened emotional engagement. Whether the room’s shape or construction influences these acoustic effects is still unclear, adding to the many mysteries surrounding the hypogeum.
2. Paleochristian Catacombs
The chambers, or hypogea, are adorned with scallop shells, spirals, and arched shelves, along with tables. Stretching 90 meters (295 feet) long, the site houses 57 tombs, which are believed to be part of a much larger network of catacombs.
The Ta’ Bistra catacombs offer a fascinating example of ancient burial practices, blending cultural and religious influences from various civilizations.
These catacombs stand as a testament to the diverse influences that shaped Malta's history and religious practices over the centuries.
After the initial excavation of the site, a farmhouse was constructed over a large part of it. Experts suspect that this building has likely caused considerable damage to the archaeological location.
1. The Temple of the Unknown Fertility Cult
The Neolithic temple complex of Hagar Qim suggests the presence of a mysterious Maltese fertility cult. First uncovered in 1839, the site features a central structure along with two additional buildings. The arrangement includes a series of C-shaped rooms, known as apses, which form the structure of the site.
During the summer solstice, the Sun’s rays enter the sanctuary through an elliptical opening in one specific apse, casting light on the lower stones. Paired with the fertility statues uncovered at the site, archaeologists speculate that Hagar Qim was a venue for ancient reproductive rituals.
The ancient fertility temple was in use from 3600 to 3200 BC. Numerous clay and stone statues of androgynous figures and corpulent women have been found at Hagar Qim. Two stone altars suggest the presence of ancient rites held here. The limestone structure has endured for millennia, but modern environmental factors are accelerating the erosion of the site, which is now shielded by protective tents.
