The Islandscape of the Megalithic Temple Structures of Prehistoric Malta

Prehistoric Malta's megalithic temples suggest a sophisticated cosmology integrating land, sea, and sky, likely central to the Temple Period society (5th–4th millennium BCE). Analysis of temple orientation, location, and material culture—including artifacts and iconography—reveals patterns indicative of an islanders' worldview that harmonized terrestrial, maritime, and celestial elements. This interpretation challenges conventional narratives by proposing a cohesive cosmological framework without relying on later historical evidence. The study employs thick description to reconstruct this lost belief system, offering new insights into the cultural and symbolic dimensions of one of the Mediterranean's most enigmatic archaeological sites.

Lomsdalen, T. (2013). The Islandscape of the Megalithic Temple Structures of Prehistoric Malta. Culture and Cosmos, 17(2), 77–103. https://doi.org/10.46472/cc.0217.0209