Immensity and Miniaturism: The Interplay of Scale and Sensory Experience in the Late Neolithic of the Maltese Islands

A striking interplay between immensity and miniaturism shaped sensory experiences and social relations during the Late Neolithic period (3600–2500 BC) on the Maltese Islands. While megalithic temples, with their monumental scale, dominate archaeological narratives, this study reveals that smaller objects—such as figurines and models—were equally significant in structuring human perception and interaction within these grand structures. By analyzing the contrast between large-scale architecture and miniature artifacts, researchers demonstrate how varying scales influenced social dynamics and sensory engagement, challenging traditional interpretations of Neolithic material culture.

Gregory, I. V. (2016). Immensity and Miniaturism: The Interplay of Scale and Sensory Experience in the Late Neolithic of the Maltese Islands. Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 35(4), 329–344. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/ojoa.12092