Ggantija Phase (3600-3000 BC)
During the Ggantija phase, the first true large stone temples were built on Gozo and Malta. At the time, the islands became increasingly isolated from the rest of the central Mediterranean, shown by a sharp drop in imported goods and the creation of new pottery styles. One theory has it that the depletion of timber resources on Malta and Gozo made it impossible for the people to build new boats, cutting off both access to the mainland and access to fish and maritime resources. Recent stable isotope studies seem to suggest, however, that fish never were an important role in Neolithic Malta diets.
The earlier small oval rooms were elaborated first to form trefoil structures, than into increasingly complex multi-apsed buildings. John Robb (2001) describes temple construction during the Ggantija and Tarxien periods as "madly fissioning mushrooms". Internal furniture including raised altars, tables, oracle holes and niches became common place. Temple building was clearly locally controlled, with construction methods and architectural styles varying between temples.
Tarxien (3000-2500 BC)
The Tarxien Phase on Malta and Gozo saw increased building and rebuilding, with several elaborate temple complexes created by renovating old temples and adding on to them. Every temple that can be chronologically traced shows extensive multiple remodeling episodes, particularly during the Tarxien period. The isolation of Malta and Gozo from Sicily and the mainland intensified as the temples were elaborated, with imported exotics becoming rare, curated and sacred objects. Social stratification and trouble is suggested as the temple redesign closed off sections to the public.
The Tarxien phase is also exemplified by a decline in agricultural production and an implied over-population. A lack of easily accessible wild foods is apparent. At the same time, artistic images of characteristic "fat ladies" became common.
After ~2500 BC, no more temple building or renovation is recorded at the Malta temples.
Sources
See the Malta Temples bibliography for more information.
