Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex

The lower part of a colossal statue of a figure wearing a pleated skirt stands sentinel to the dawn of civilisation in the highly decorated South Structure within the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex. Discovered in 1913 by farmer Lorenzo Despott, the site consists of a complex of four megalithic structures built in the late Neolithic and then readapted for use during the  Early Bronze Age . Only the lower part of the walls survives in the easternmost structure, the oldest part of the complex. However, it is still possible to see its concave façade and five chambers. The extensive archaeological excavations undertaken between 1915 and 1919 were led by  Sir Themistocles Zammit,  Director of Museums at the time. The South structure is rich in prehistoric art, including  bas-relief sculpture  depicting spirals and animals. The domesticated animals depicted include goats, bulls, pigs, and a ram. The large number of animal bones discovered in this complex, most of whic