‘No easy way from the earth to the stars’: a new statistical approach to the orientation of the Maltese temples

A new statistical analysis of the orientation of Maltese temples, spanning from 3800 to 2400 BC, reveals that while most temple orientations can be attributed to chance, terrain aspect, wind protection, or winter sunlight exposure, some earlier structures (Ġgantija phase) exhibit statistically significant alignments with the rising or setting of specific stars in the southern celestial hemisphere. These stars, likely used for astronavigation—both then and now—suggest that temples may have served as educational sites for young seafarers to learn critical navigational skills. The study, the largest of its kind, employs a rigorous framework to test multiple hypotheses, distinguishing between terrestrial and celestial influences without assuming intent.

Silva, F., & Lomsdalen, T. (2025). ‘No easy way from the earth to the stars’: a new statistical approach to the orientation of the Maltese temples. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 17(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-025-02208-4