Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum *
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Country	Malta
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii
Reference	130
Region **	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	1980 (4th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO

The Hypogeum of Paola, Malta, literally meaning "underground" in Greek, is a subterranean structure dating to the Saflieni phase in Maltese prehistory. Thought to be originally a sanctuary, it became a necropolis in prehistoric times. It is the only prehistoric underground temple in the world. The Hypogeum was depicted on a 2 cents 5 mils stamp issued in the Maltese Islands in 1980 to commemorate the acceptance by UNESCO of this unique structure in the World Heritage Site list. It was closed to visitors between 1992 and 1996 for restoration works; since it reopened only 80 people per day are allowed entry and there can be a 2–3 weeks wait to get a ticket.

It was discovered by accident in 1902 when workers cutting cisterns for a new housing development broke through its roof. The workers tried to hide the temple at first, but eventually it was found. The study of the structure was first entrusted to Father Manuel Magri of the Society of Jesus, who directed the excavations on behalf of the Museums Committee. Magri died in 1907, before the publication of the report. Following Magri's sudden death, excavation resumed under Sir Temi Zammit.

First Level

The first level is very similar to tombs found in Xemxija in Malta. Some rooms are natural caves which were later artificially extended. The second level was only opened when the original builders found that this level was no longer adequate. This level is only ten metres below the street level.

Second Level

Hal Saflieni

The Sleeping Lady, Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, Malta

This level features several apparently important rooms, such as the Main Room, the Holy of Holies, and the Oracle Room.

The Main Chamber

This chamber is roughly circular and carved out from rock. A number of trilithon entrances are represented, some blind, and others leading to another chamber. Most of the wall surface has received a red wash of ochre. It was from this room that the statuettes of the sleeping lady were recovered. Nowadays these figurines are held in the Museum of Archaeology, in Valletta, Malta.

The Oracle Room

The Oracle Room is roughly rectangular and one of the smallest side chambers has the peculiarity of producing a powerful acoustic resonance from any vocalization made inside it. This room has an elaborately painted ceiling, consisting of spirals in red ochre with circular blobs.

The Decorated Room

Out of the Oracle's Room, through the hammer dressed chamber, on the right is another spacious hall, circular, with inward slanting smooth walls, richly decorated in a geometrical pattern. On the right side wall the entrance is a petrosomatoglyph of a human hand carved into the rock (Agius).

The Snake Pit

The second level contains a 2 metres deep pit which could have been used for either keeping snakes or collecting alms.

Holy of Holies

The focal point of this room is a porthole within a trilithon, which is in turn framed within a larger trilithon and yet another large trilithon.

Third Level

The lower storey contained no bones or offerings, only water. It strongly suggests storage, maybe of grain.

Tourism

The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni is a very popular tourist attraction. However, because of its age, Heritage Malta (the government body that looks after historical sites) only allows 80 persons per day to visit the Hypogeum. Heritage Malta recommends tourists to book well ahead of time if they wish to visit. Some last minute tickets are occasionally available from the Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. (now moved to Museum of Fine Arts - available on first-come, first-served basis. Museum opens at 9am, queuing for tickets starts around 8am)

See also

• Ġgantija
• List of World Heritage Sites in Europe
• Petrosomatoglyph
• World Heritage Sites
• Xagħra Stone Circle

References

• Ann Mette Heindorff. "Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum (1982) Malta". http://worldheritage.heindorffhus.dk/frame-Malta01-Hypogeum.htm. Retrieved October 22, 2005. 
• Jim Diamond. "Malta Temples". http://www.jimdiamondmd.com/MaltaTemples.htm. Retrieved October 22, 2006. 
• Agius, A.J. The Hypogeum at Hal-Saflieni. Freedom Press. Malta. P. 19.
• "Project RedBook". http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/prediction/51/text-files/redbook/redbookko.html. 
• "Heritage Malta". http://heritagemalta.com/. 
• Pace, Anthony, The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum Paola (Valetta, Heritage Malta, 2004).

External links

• Select Hal Salflieni in the "Browse our Sites" drop down for the Official Website of the Hypogeum
• Unesco World Heritage Site