Upon arriving on the island of Gozo today, it might be difficult to imagine a pristine, rugged island at the dawn of recorded history, playing some crucial role in antiquity. There is no doubt, however, that the island’s saga is still right in front of our eyes, etched in stone in the prehistoric sites that still cradle many secrets.
Hunting down and discovering these sites should be on the list of what to do in Gozo! Over the hills and valleys, sprawled on rocky white plateaus and at the outskirts of Gozo’s villages, many mysterious spots seem to have been the base of an ancient civilisation. Exploring these sites should be complemented with a visit to the Museum of Archaeology at the Citadel.
The Silent Sentinels of Ġgantija
Touted as one of the oldest structures in the world, the temples of Ġgantija are older than the pyramids of Egypt. This UNESCO site is a testament to the civilisation that inhabited the Mediterranean region thousands of years ago. The complex has two temples – the South Temple and the North Temple. These are built of massive limestone blocks, some weighing over 50 tons. The temples served religious and ceremonial purposes, and evidence suggests a strong connection with the cult of a fertility goddess.
Xagħra Stone Circle
Four hundred metres away from Ġgantija lies the more recently excavated Xagħra Stone Circle. This prehistoric site is primarily a hypogeum or an underground burial site, presumably for the islanders who built Ġgantija. The excavations yielded human remains and a fantastic treasure in pottery and statuettes.
More Temples at Santa Verna and Ta’ Marziena
Beyond the famous Ġgantija Temples and the adjacent Xagħra Stone Circle, Gozo has more intrigue in the form of other Neolithic temples in various locations. Two of these locations are the Santa Verna Neolithic Temple in Xagħra and the Ta’ Marziea Temple on the outskirts of Victoria. Recent research suggests that the Ta’ Verna Temple could have been as large as Ġgantija itself, and the site could date back to nearly 8000 years ago. On the other hand, the Ta’ Marziena Temple is on private land overlooking a fertile plain, and experts believe that this temple could be another calendar in stone like the Mnajdra Temple in Malta, which marks the Winter and Summer solstices.
Echoes of the Past at Ta' Ċenċ
Perched high above the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, the Ta’ Ċenċ plateau is located in the village of Sannat. The bright white rocky garigue landscape, is home to various archaeological remains. At this lofty vantage point, it is easy to feel the raw power of nature’s majestic grandeur and serenity. If you hike around the plateau, it is not easy to pinpoint the perimeters or the remains of the Neolithic Temple known as Borġ tal-Imramma. However, upon careful examination, one can see that the area seems ‘littered’ with pretty large boulders, which are the vestiges of this temple. The dolmens at Ta’ Ċenċ cannot be missed from the main road as they starkly contrast with the skyline. These Bronze Age burial memorials are similar to other dolmens found in Italy.
The mysterious intrigue of the bedrock – Cart Ruts
Like whispers from the past, these parallel grooves in the stone weave a tale of intrigue and wonder, inviting the curious soul to ponder on what purpose they served through the corridors of time. These enigmatic features have puzzled archaeologists and historians for centuries, sparking debate and speculation about their origin and purpose. In Gozo, the cart ruts vary in width, depth, and length and can be best observed in the limits of Dwejra, in the area surrounding the Inland Sea and at Ta’ Ċenċ, even close to the cliff edge. Cartruts in Gozo can also be seen in Qala, limits of L-Irdum tal-Qortin, near the Battery of St. Anthony, and in Xewkija in the Ta’ Blankas olive grove.
A Bronze Age Legacy - In-Nuffara & Ta' Kuljat
As if plucked from the pages of antiquity, Nuffara Hill stands as a testament to the ancient inhabitants. The hill between Nadur and Xagħra has a flat surface top or mesa, where the fortified Bronze Age village once stood. Many silo pits were discovered on this hilltop, and excavations yielded spindle whorls and weights used for weaving. Another similar site on the island is Ta’ Kuljat in Żebbuġ.
The above are not the only prehistoric sites in Gozo. Other locations, such as Il-Ġebla ta’ Sansuna in Xagħra, the Menhir in Qala, the site at L-Imresjbiet and Tal-Qiegħan (both on the outskirts of Għajnsielem), are part of the story of Gozo’s forgotten era, echoing distant life while beckoning the curious to wonder about their enigmatic tales.
Despite its size, Gozo is imbued with many ancient stories, and the silent ruins transcend time, speaking to the essence of human existence and the eternal quest to understand the mysteries of the island’s past.
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