Section # 22 Underground Malta
Ghar Dalam Cave (Birzebbugia)(
In this huge cave several remains of animals which lived both in Africa and Europe were found. This confirms the theory that Malta was part of a land bridge which connected Europe to Africa. It is said that earthquakes caused this land bridge to disappear into the sea. Only tops of high mountains remained above sea level, one of which is Malta.
Ghar Dalam Cave is a very important find as it was here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered. The site consists of a cave and a museum. The history of the cave and of the Islands can be decoded from Ghar Dalam’s stratigraphy. The lowermost layers, more than 500,000 years old, contained the fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds. Above the pebble layer that follows, is the so-called ‘deer’ layer, dated to around 18,000 years ago. The top layer, or ‘cultural layer’, dates to less than 10,000 years and holds evidence of the first humans on the Island.
In this huge cave several remains of animals which lived both in Africa and Europe were found. This confirms the theory that Malta was part of a land bridge which connected Europe to Africa. It is said that earthquakes caused this land bridge to disappear into the sea. Only tops of high mountains remained above sea level, one of which is Malta.
Ghar Dalam Cave is a very important find as it was here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered. The site consists of a cave and a museum. The history of the cave and of the Islands can be decoded from Ghar Dalam’s stratigraphy. The lowermost layers, more than 500,000 years old, contained the fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds. Above the pebble layer that follows, is the so-called ‘deer’ layer, dated to around 18,000 years ago. The top layer, or ‘cultural layer’, dates to less than 10,000 years and holds evidence of the first humans on the Island.
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum (Tarxien)
The Hypogeum is an enormous subterranean structure excavated circa 2500 B.C., using cyclopean rigging to lift huge blocks of coralline limestone. Perhaps originally a sanctuary, it became a necropolis in prehistoric times.
The hypogeum was discovered accidentally in 1902 by a stonemason who was laying the foundations of some houses on the island of Malta. Temi Zammit, the first Director of Malta's Museums Department, assumed responsibility for the excavation. His excavation yielded a wealth of archaeological material including much pottery and human bones, personal ornaments such as beads and amulets, little carved animals and larger figurines.
This 'labyrinth', as it is often called, consists of a series of elliptical chambers and alveoli of varying importance, to which access is gained by different corridors.
The upper level consists of a large hollow with a central passage and burial chambers cut on each side. One of the chambers still contains original burial deposits. The middle level consists of various chambers very smoothly finished, which give the impression of built masonry. The workmanship is all the more impressive when it is considered that the chambers were meticulously carved using only flint and stone tools. Curvilinear and spiral paintings in red ochre are still visible in some areas. One of the niches in the 'Oracle Chamber' has the characteristic of echoing deep sounds. The carved facade is magnificent and the quality of its architecture is in a remarkable state of preservation.
The hypogeum was discovered accidentally in 1902 by a stonemason who was laying the foundations of some houses on the island of Malta. Temi Zammit, the first Director of Malta's Museums Department, assumed responsibility for the excavation. His excavation yielded a wealth of archaeological material including much pottery and human bones, personal ornaments such as beads and amulets, little carved animals and larger figurines.
This 'labyrinth', as it is often called, consists of a series of elliptical chambers and alveoli of varying importance, to which access is gained by different corridors.
The upper level consists of a large hollow with a central passage and burial chambers cut on each side. One of the chambers still contains original burial deposits. The middle level consists of various chambers very smoothly finished, which give the impression of built masonry. The workmanship is all the more impressive when it is considered that the chambers were meticulously carved using only flint and stone tools. Curvilinear and spiral paintings in red ochre are still visible in some areas. One of the niches in the 'Oracle Chamber' has the characteristic of echoing deep sounds. The carved facade is magnificent and the quality of its architecture is in a remarkable state of preservation.
St. Paul’s and St. Agata’s Catacombs (Rabat)
St. Paul’s catacombs are part of a large cemetery once located outside the walls of the ancient Greek city of Melite, now Mdina. It also comprises the catacombs of St. Agatha, San Katald, St. Augustine and many others.
Contrary to other catacombs in Italy, those found in Malta were never used as a hiding place during Christian persecution by the Romans, In fact in Malta the Romans did not persecute the Christians. These catacombs were used as burial places.
The early tombs consisted of a deep rectangular shaft with one or two chambers dug from its sides. This type of burial was used well into the Roman occupation of the islands, but the chambers grew larger and more regular in shape over time. It is probable that this enlargement joined neighboring tombs and led to the creation of small catacombs, which became the norm by the fourth century AD.
Contrary to other catacombs in Italy, those found in Malta were never used as a hiding place during Christian persecution by the Romans, In fact in Malta the Romans did not persecute the Christians. These catacombs were used as burial places.
The early tombs consisted of a deep rectangular shaft with one or two chambers dug from its sides. This type of burial was used well into the Roman occupation of the islands, but the chambers grew larger and more regular in shape over time. It is probable that this enlargement joined neighboring tombs and led to the creation of small catacombs, which became the norm by the fourth century AD.
Beneath Valletta
There is an Intricate web of tunnels under Valletta, but very few people know about them, and much fewer have actually seen them. According to research carried out by architect Edward Said, underneath the capital city lies its lifeline -a vast maze of wells and reservoirs, sewers and war shelters.
The history of the maze under Valletta goes back centuries. The importance of an underground water system was recognized when Grand Master La Valette started building the capital. After all, a city without water is vulnerable, especially when the need might arise to close it off in case of attacks.
Said points out that when war broke out there was a rush to excavate air raid shelters. Civil engineers and architects surveyed all the existing underground spaces and connected them. Most of them are stuck in a time warp and going inside shelters is like going back in time.
.
The history of the maze under Valletta goes back centuries. The importance of an underground water system was recognized when Grand Master La Valette started building the capital. After all, a city without water is vulnerable, especially when the need might arise to close it off in case of attacks.
Said points out that when war broke out there was a rush to excavate air raid shelters. Civil engineers and architects surveyed all the existing underground spaces and connected them. Most of them are stuck in a time warp and going inside shelters is like going back in time.
.
Lascaris War Rooms
Lascaris war rooms were the Operational Headquarters which were built in order to provide a secure place from where war operations could be conducted. The war rooms are located deep in the rock under St Peter and St Paul Bastion which forms part of the defences of Valletta built by the Knights of St John in 1566. The war rooms take their name from the nearby Fort Lascaris which was built by the British in 1856. This fort had been built on the site of a private garden that had been built by Grand Master Jean Lascaris who ruled over Malta during the period 1656-1670. Access to the Lascaris war rooms was through a tunnel located in the Valletta main ditch at the foot of St Peter and St Paul bastion; alternatively one could gain access from the side of Fort Lascaris.
Air Raid Shelters
During World War II, Malta became the most bombed place on earth - 6,700 tons of bombs fell in just six weeks. The Maltese minimized loss of life during the war by constructing/adapting air-raid shelters . It was estimated that over 35,000 buildings throughout the islands suffered damage or were destroyed during the war, over 11,000 of them in April 1942 alone, the worst month of bombing.
There are plenty of war time air shelters all over the island especially in the old town areas. These are protected sites and no excavation or damage of any sort is allowed on them. Local councils as well as the Superintendence of Heritage are duty bound to protect these sites even if they are in private property.
There are plenty of war time air shelters all over the island especially in the old town areas. These are protected sites and no excavation or damage of any sort is allowed on them. Local councils as well as the Superintendence of Heritage are duty bound to protect these sites even if they are in private property.