#mnajdra

[archiveofaffinities]

The Temple of Mnajdra, Malta, 3000 B.C.

[inspofromancientworld]

Mnajdra

By G.Mannaerts - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65356667

Mnajdra, L-Imnajdra as it is known as Maltese, is a megalithic temple complex on the southern coast of Malta in the Mediterranean. It is within 500 meters of Ħaġar Qim, another megalithic temple complex and the two are among the oldest religious sites on earth, dating to the 4th millennium BCE and are described as 'unique architectural masterpieces' by the World Heritage Sites committee of UNESCO.

By G.Mannaerts - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65356665

Mnajdra is built out of coralline limestone, which is a type of limestone made from a type of algae that has calcareous deposits in its cell walls, making it more sturdy than the globigerina limestone used in Ħaġar Qim, which was made from a type of plankton and forms a softer type of limestone. It was built in a cloverleaf layout consisting of three temples, an upper, middle, and lower.

By Hamelin de Guettelet - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plan_des_temples_de_Mnajdra.png, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23852880

The upper temple was built about 3600-3200 BCE and has three apses the the central blocked by a low screen wall. The pillars of the apses were drilled in horizontal rows on the inner surfaces, suggesting the possibility of organic decorations being part of the design. The middle temple likely dates to 3150-2500 BCE with the main doorway formed by a hole cut into a large limestone upright. The lower temple dates to around 3400 BCE and is the most architecturally impressive of the three. It has a large forecourt with benches and is decorated with spiral carvings and indentations, with windows into the structure.

By Stijndon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25269467

The lower temple is aligned astronomically so that the equinoxes align to a doorway and the solstices align to stone uprights on either side of the doorway. It is inferred that these were used as ceremonial purposes rather than living or as tombs based on the remains found within.

By Bautsch - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91422043

There is a stone that displays a series of drilled holes that has been labeled as the 'calendar stone' due to the arrangement of the holes. All interpretations are presumed but consist of: A row of 19 holes representing the Metonic cycle, or 19 year cycle for the lunar and solar years to align again; a row of 16 and 13 holes, representing the days from the 'old moon' until the full moon and the 13 days to return to the 'old moon', or the 29 days of the lunar month; a line of 3+4 holes for the 7 days of each moon quarter, 3 for the 3 completed moon quarters in the current month with the fourth quarter beginning the new month; 25 for the waxing or waning moons in a tropical year; 11 holes for the difference between the tropical and synodic (or lunar) year; 24+1 for the 24 waxing and waning moons plus the 'incomplete' month in the tropical year; 53 for the number of weeks in a tropical year.

By Alecastorina93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17418490

The site was excavated in 1840 by J.G. Vance and mapped first by James Fergusson in 1871 and then again by Albert Mayr in 1901 when the first mapping was found to be inaccurate. It was included in a the Antiquities List in 1925, making it a protected site, by the Maltese government. In 2001, at least 3 people vandalized the site, toppling and breaking 60 megaliths and 'inscribed graffiti on them', damage which was initially thought irreparable, but was restored by newer techniques and the site was reopened to the public in 2002. A protective shelter was built over the site in 2009.

[planesporelmundo]

#travelphotography #travel #viajaresvivir #viajeros #malta #maltaphotography #neolithic #neolithictemples #ruins #maltatemples #mnajdra #unescoworldheritagesite #unesco #ancienthistory #ancientcivilization #ancientculture #ancientcity #dolmen (en Mnajdra) https://www.instagram.com/p/B78xnF7o2_I/?igshid=x4juc7nhe59e

[ardl]

[gayamulet]

Listen to: The Worshipping Stones by Mnajdra

[krixbeeble]

This is a view looking out towards the beautiful South Mediterranean Sea standing on the edge of the Mnajdra complex in Malta. I was unaware until I went there myself, that in 2009 UNESCO placed covers over several ancient sites for their protection in Malta. Upon asking the locals, two archaeologists and frequent visitors, it is a split 50/50 for how people feel about the sacred sites being protected yet at the same time mostly covered. You cannot view the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox alignments quite the same anymore, where the sun passes through the main doorway and lights the major axis. Also during the solstices, the sunlight used to illuminate both edges of the main doorway within this complex. I left there with a feeling of positive protection they are trying to succeed with for these covers! Maybe one day we will see the lightplay clearly again~🌞 On Maltese 1, 2 and 5 cent Euro coins (used to be Lira until 2008) you see a dolman-like structure (they consider it a "temple altar"). That structure is found at this site! You should get there some day if you're curious. All three islands buzz with a particular energy. You can get a great view of the site and some interesting information if you watch Ep.6 'The Mystery of the Cyclops' "In Search Of Aliens". #qrendi #mnajdra #L-lmnajdra #malta #malteseruins #mnajdracomplex #megalithic #megalithictemplesofmnajdra #mediterranianislands #ancienttemples #corallinelimestone #travel #adventure #unesco #worldheritagesite #insearchofaliens #krixbeeblephotography (at Il-Qrendi, Malta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRrcDwPrp78/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lesnicos]

[lesnicos]