The Sal Haflieni Hypogeum, which is the literal Greek word for ‘underground’, is a subterranean cave complex in Paola, Malta. This ancient burial site, which is approximately 6,000 years old, is one of the best-preserved prehistoric sites on the planet. It is hard to overstate the importance of the complex to our understanding of the Neolithic era, a period of prehistory about which we know relatively little due to their lack of a written language. It is sites like the Hypogeum and artefacts that tell us about the huge strides taken by Neolithic peoples on their way to becoming the human race as we know it today.
The Hypogeum has had a chequered past; it was rediscovered in the early twentieth century but its preservation was botched. Artefacts were not catalogued properly and the archaeologist in charge died midway through the excavations; his report was lost. It is only in recent decades that proper efforts have been made to conserve the site, including a period of renovations between 2016 and 2017. Happily, these renovations are now complete and as well as the installation of systems designed to manage environmental factors, the visitor’s centre has been revamped and the audio guide enhanced.
Booking in advance is essential as visitor numbers are limited to 80 per day so as to conserve the site for generations to come. If you are lucky enough to get tickets, you’ll learn about the 7,000 bodies that were uncovered in the early twentieth century excavations of the site, and how much insight this gave scholars into how the Neolithic people treated death. You’ll also learn about the Sleeping Lady of Hal Saflieni, a clay statue of a very curvaceous – to say the least – woman whom Neolithic peoples may have worshipped as a mother goddess.
Activities
PhotographyAmenities
Child FriendlyLive Weather
NOW: 19.17°CThe article does not reflects the AWAYN's official views, and should NOT taken as editorial work
SEE ALL ARTICLES