De Verborgen Geheimen van de Mensheid THE MYSTERY OF
GGANTIJA
www.ancientmysteries.eu
(c) COPYRICHT 2006

Map of Gozo of Malta showing GGantija
36 02' 49.00"N, 14 16' 07.46"E

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The mystery of Ggantija on the island of Gozo Malta

The Ggantija temple is on Goze, the second island of Malta, and is the largest megalithic temple on Malta. As with the other temples on Malta, the Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien, the question is whether this ‘temple’ really was a place of worship or whether there was some other purpose. The fact that it is on such a small island is strange in itself: such a huge construction suggests that there was a large population, not only to help build it but also for its function as temple.
The architecture is typical for all temples on Malta: a shape that resembles a clover-leaf with boundary walls made of megalithic slabs at a few metres distance. This space between the two walls is filled with sand and stone rubble. Together this makes a solid wall which remains standing after many millennia.
The length to width ratio is roughly 40 to 30 metres and some of the megalithic slabs measure more than 6 metres in lengthIt is unclear whether it was ever roofed. The walls seem unsuited to the bearing of heavy megalithic roof plates.

In 1827 this temple was excavated. Since the excavation, done in a rather crude manner, the temple has suffered from the effects of vandalism as wel as harsh weather. 
The building of the temple is placed in the timeframe 3600 – 3000 BC but one should put a big question mark next to this since the foundation for the use of these dates has never been recorded scientifically.
Why is the biggest temple built on this tiny island? Or was it not an island at all in those days; perhaps it was part of the mainland? And who quarried and transported the enormous slabs?
It doesn’t make sense. Tiny island, no people around, a huge fortress-like building, why? Who were the ancient engineers?  

More about Ggantija in the book "Verborgen geheimen van de mensheid", and more in ref. Malta and Mayrhofer.

HAMMERING OF HARD STONE The Ggantija temple in Gozo Malta is at least 5000 years old
SAWING IN HARD STONE
DRILLING IN HARD STONE
MILLING OF HARD STONE
TURNING OF HARD ROCK
PLASTER LAYER ON HARD STONE
SMOOTHING OF HARD STONE
POLISHING OF HARD STONE
TRANSPORTING MEGALITHS
SEAMLESS JOINTS BETWEEN STONES
SEAMLESS JOINTS BETWEEN MEGALITHS
SOFTENING HARD STONE
MELTING OF HARD STONE
TRANSATLANTIC CONTACTS

Despite the decay, the original design is still recognisable
Despite the decay, the original design is still recognisable
Huge megaliths have been used in the construction of the Ggantija.
Huge megaliths have been used in the construction of the Ggantija. Note the small supporting blocks under the larger ones.
The different architectural styles suggest that in discernibly different times the construction was further enlarged.
The different architectural styles suggest that in discernibly different times the construction was further enlarged.
Were the blocks eroded before the construction began, or did the erosion take place later?
Were the blocks eroded before the construction began, or did the erosion take place later?
Erosion of the top of the pillar appears to be different from that on the lower part.
Erosion of the top of the pillar appears to be different from that on the lower part.
It seems to have not been a problem for our ancestors to drill holes in those ancient days.
It seems to have not been a problem for our ancestors to drill holes in those ancient days.
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(c) THURLINGS