Tas-Silġ
Encyclopedia
The Tas-Silġ is a rounded hilltop in Zejtun
, Malta
, overlooking the head of Marsaxlokk
-Bay. Tas-Silġ is a multi-period sanctuary site covering all eras from Neolithic
to the fourth century AD.
The first temple was one of the Tarxien
period (3000 B.C.-2500 B.C.) as shown by pottery and lithics, and a standing fat lady founded in the deepest layer.
Above this Tarxien temple, there is a Bronze Age
settlement, as shown by the associated sherds and stone tools.
The following Punic temple incorporated upstanding remains of earlier temples and reveals a D-shaped setting of irregular blocks. It is the sanctuary to Juno
(Astarte
of the Phoenicians) mentioned in Cicero’s
Verrine Orations. On this layer the main finding is a threshold slab pierced by three libation
holes; it divided the eastern part of the temple and the western side. Other evidence from the Bronze Age consists of the large amount of handiwork.
Later again, in the 4th century AD, a monastery were built there. It was established just outside the horseshoe-shaped setting of ancient blocks. It just may be then the fat lady was deliberately defaced and buried in a hollow.
The site is shield by a cover to preserve it from further erosion.
Heritage Malta runs the conservation of Tas-Silġ but unfortunately it is closed to public up to now.
Zejtun
Żejtun is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname....
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, overlooking the head of Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village located in the south-eastern part of Malta, with a population of 3,277 people . The village’s name comes from marsa, which means "port" and xlokk, which is the local name for south east...
-Bay. Tas-Silġ is a multi-period sanctuary site covering all eras from Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
to the fourth century AD.
Description
Due to its various settlements along different periods, Tas-Silġ indicates to archaeologists several different layers of excavation.The first temple was one of the Tarxien
Tarxien
-Etymology:Ħal Tarxien is a small village in the south east of Malta. The etymology of the village may be a corruption of Tirix, meaning a large stone, similar to those used for the village's noted temples. The village motto is Tyrii Genure Coloni .-Population:Today, the village is inhabited by...
period (3000 B.C.-2500 B.C.) as shown by pottery and lithics, and a standing fat lady founded in the deepest layer.
Above this Tarxien temple, there is a Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
settlement, as shown by the associated sherds and stone tools.
The following Punic temple incorporated upstanding remains of earlier temples and reveals a D-shaped setting of irregular blocks. It is the sanctuary to Juno
Juno
- Astronomy and space exploration :* 3 Juno, an asteroid** Juno clump, a probable asteroid family in the vicinity of 3 Juno* Juno , a NASA mission to Jupiter* Juno I, a satellite launch vehicle* Project Juno, a private British space programme...
(Astarte
Astarte
Astarte is the Greek name of a goddess known throughout the Eastern Mediterranean from the Bronze Age to Classical times...
of the Phoenicians) mentioned in Cicero’s
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
Verrine Orations. On this layer the main finding is a threshold slab pierced by three libation
Libation
A libation is a ritual pouring of a liquid as an offering to a god or spirit or in memory of those who have died. It was common in many religions of antiquity and continues to be offered in various cultures today....
holes; it divided the eastern part of the temple and the western side. Other evidence from the Bronze Age consists of the large amount of handiwork.
Later again, in the 4th century AD, a monastery were built there. It was established just outside the horseshoe-shaped setting of ancient blocks. It just may be then the fat lady was deliberately defaced and buried in a hollow.
Excavation and restoration
An Italian Mission led a first excavation in 1963-72 identifying the sanctuary, then in 1996 Malta University started its own excavation project to clean other layers of sediments.The site is shield by a cover to preserve it from further erosion.
Heritage Malta runs the conservation of Tas-Silġ but unfortunately it is closed to public up to now.