Tarsien , ˈtarʃiɛn , or Tarshiysky temple complex - an archaeological complex near the city of Tarshin in Malta, dated around 2800 BC. er Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the 5th other megalithic temples of Malta .
| Megalith | |
| Tarsien | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A country |  Malta |
| Location | |
 World Heritage Site | |
| Link | Number 132 in the World Heritage List ( en ) |
| Criteria | iv |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Turning on | 1980 ( 4th session ) |
Large stone blocks were discovered in 1914 by local peasants while plowing the field. [2] After the accidental discovery of a nearby underground sanctuary in 1913, the owner of the land where the blocks were found suggested that they might also have archaeological value. He contacted the director of the National Museum, Themistokles Zammit , who began excavations and discovered the central part of the temple complex.
Content
Description
Tarshien consists of three separate, but interconnected temple structures. The main entrance was reconstructed in 1956, when the entire temple was subjected to restoration. At the same time, many of the stones with carved patterns found around Tarsiaen were moved to the premises of the Archaeological Museum of La Valletta to protect them from destruction. The first temple dates from around 3100 BC. er Of all the temples of Malta, it is decorated with the most exquisite stone reliefs. The average temple dates from around 3000 BC. e., and, unlike all other temples of Malta, has three apses instead of two. The eastern temple dates from around 3100 BC. er Further to the east, one can see the ruins of another, a small and more ancient temple, which dates from around 3250 BC. er [3]
Of particular interest are the stone reliefs of Tarschienne depicting domestic animals, as well as altars and screens decorated with spiral figures and other patterns. Between the central and southern temples there is a chamber about the size of a wall with a relief depicting a bull and a sow. [2]
Assignment
Excavation materials show that Tarshien was used extensively for rituals, possibly including animal sacrifices. In front of the altar of the third temple of Tarschien a hole was found, tightly clogged with stone. After clearing it, archaeologists found a large number of bones and horns of animals, as well as a silicon knife for sacrifices [4] . It is interesting to note that according to Tarshien one can judge about the method of construction of megaliths: improvised “slides” for rolling stones have been preserved near the southern temple. In addition, evidence of cremation has been preserved in the center of the southern temple, indicating the reuse of the temple as a cremation cemetery in the Bronze Age [2] .
Cultural-historical period
By the name of the temple Tarshien called the archaeological period ("Tarshiene period" or "Tarshiene phase") of the prehistoric period of Malta , when the Sicilian culture of Capo Graziano had significant similarity with the Maltese, or even was its local version.
Notes
- ↑ archINFORM - 1994.
- ↑ 1 2 3 Tarxien Temples . National Agency for Museums, Conservation Practice and Cultural Heritage (2003). The date of circulation is July 7, 2007. Archived March 28, 2012.
- ↑ Cilia, Daniel Tarxien . The Megalithic temples of Malta ( 2004 - 04-08 ). The date of circulation is July 7, 2007. Archived March 28, 2012.
- ↑ Nizovsky A. Yu. The greatest wonders of the world. Encyclopedic reference. - M .: Veche, 2007. - p. 5-8. - ISBN 5-9533-0667-9 .
Links
Literature
- Nizovsky A. Yu. The greatest wonders of the world. Encyclopedic reference. - M .: Veche, 2007. - p. 5-8. - ISBN 5-9533-0667-9 .