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Ancient "Temple Builders" Solar Observatories


ancient Temple Builders Solar Observatory found on the island of Malta

Is this area of strangely shaped (terraced) hills and boulders an ancient Maltese Solar Observatory, built by the mysterious "Temple Builders" of Malta or is it only some shaped hills and boulders?

Peru's ancient Solar Observatory and Malta's possible Solar Observation complex

Are there any similarities between it and the Solar Observatory discovered in Peru, the 13 Towers of Chankillo?

Why do I think there is a possibility this could be an ancient Maltese Solar Observatory?

To read more visit this everythingiselectric.com article on the possible ancient Solar Observatory on the Island of Malta

More information and ideas will be posted on the forum soon

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Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples aligned for the Summer Solstice


Hagar Qim Temples and Mnajdra Temples aligned for the Summer Solstice - sun rising on June 21st

The Temples of Malta were designed by the Temple Builders to be aligned with the Summer Solstice and who knows what other events in the skies. Every year at the Summer Solstice the sun rises in alignment with special places in the Hagar Qim Temples and Mnajdra Temples as seen in this photograph.

What other Temples, Stone Circles or natural features were used to observe and track the passage of the Sun across the sky each year?

Summer Solstice – Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples
The unique setting of the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim Temples at Qrendi, overlooking the coast, gives them a special charm not to be found in any other of the large-scale megalithic buildings of the Maltese Islands.

Sunrise on the first day of each season underlines the relationship between the temples and celestial bodies. Although it is not known for certain whether these orientations were intentional, they are so systematic that this is very probable. In prehistoric agricultural societies, observation of the motion of the stars, the moon and sun could have been related to the changing seasons and times of planting and harvesting crops.

On the 21st June during the summer solstice the first rays of the sun light up the edge of a megalith found to the left of the central doorway connecting the first pair of chamber to the inner chamber of the Lower Mnajdra Temple. At the same time at Hagar Qim sunlight passes through a hole known as he oracle hole which opens onto a chamber on the northeast side of the structure. Here the sun’s rays project a disk of light onto a stone slab at the entrance to the apse. As the minutes pass the disc becomes a crescent, then elongates into an elipse, then elongates still further and finally sinks out of sight as though into the ground.
Summer Solstice – Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples | gozonews.com

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Maltese  solar observatories - construction and location


Maltese solar observatories construction and location

These possible Maltese solar observatories stand out in the area they are found (near Dingli Cliffs and Mtahleb Chapel). The top of the elongated hill has a bank on it that contains a line of rocks. These appear to be the marker stones that show or track the suns progression across the skies during the year.

The hills have been changed by man and it looks like the top of the hill has been constructed with this line or boulders and rocks on top. If not as a solar observatory then why are they there?

Maltese solar observatories - built by the Temples Builders?

Maltese  solar observatories - construction and location - article and more photographs

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Gnejna Bay, Mgarr, Malta - solar observatory


Gnejna Bay, Mgarr, Malta - solar observatory using the natural landscape?

At the end of the valley leading from Mgarr to Gnejna Bay Malta there is the Ras il-Pellegrin headland to one side and on it is a large rock outcrop. Along its top line is a very distinct \__/ shape and also some other sharp steps.  These may be natural but were they adapted by the ancient Temple Builders of Malta to be used to mark the progression of the sun in the sky? Is there another solar observatory at Gnejna Bay or is it just nature?

Around the equinoxes you can view the sun setting in the gap from the massive boulders on the flat bit of land cut into the slope.

** Gnejna Bay, Mgarr, Malta - solar observatory - article
** Gnejna Bay, Mgarr, Malta - solar observatory - EYE photographs

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Standing Stones, markers and plinth stones

For the series of hills to be a solar/astronomy observatory there would need to be constructions that reflect this. Megaliths, Standing Stones and earth works should show signs. If this is a variation or the original model for the Peru hilltop solar observatory then it would have similar features. There does not appear to be a row of towers on the top but was there a row of Standing Stones (Megaliths) acting as markers on the top on the hill top?

left is a fallen standing stone and marker stone on the ridge top and right another marker stone

There are a number of fallen Standing Stones and Megaliths with rectangular features, flat surfaces, straight sides, right angle (90 degree) corners. These are found where you would expect them to be located.

cube stone and porthole slab stone at the Dingli Cliffs solar observatory

There are also a couple of boulder "avenues" at the ends of the ridge line going down the side. Avenues flanked by 2 lines of statues or stones are a familiar feature at megalithic and other ancient sites. Are these also used as astronomy markers and to mark Dragon Lines (Ley Lines) ?

** Astronomy Observatories Complex at Dingli Cliffs - introduction

** Astronomy Observatories Complex at Dingli Cliffs - Standing Stones and Megaliths

** Astronomy Observatories Complex at Dingli Cliffs - construction

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Torba (Malta's ancient concrete) used by the Temple Builders


Malta's Torba (ancient limestone concrete) used by the Maltese Temple Builders
to construct this Solar Observatory Complex

Torba (Maltese for ancient concrete) was used by the islands Temple Builders to construct the Temples with examples of Torba at Ggantija Temples Complex (Gozo) and Tarxien Temples Complex. The problem is its hard to find it or its covered over.

Torba is limestone mixed with gravel, sand, ash or aggregates (small rocks, pebbles, stones) and water. Malta has plenty of limestone! When it sets it is rock solid, as witnessed by the fact it is still around today. The Romans and Egyptians used concrete to help construct their amazing buildings.

On the hilltop used to mark the procession of the sun and other astronomy events there is at least one example of aggregate Torba connecting to boulders together. The Torba goes to partly cover the flat surface of the large boulder.

This appears to be proof that the Temple Builders did build something on the top of this hill. What would they build on top of the hill?


** Torba and construction - how were Malta's astronomy observatories built?

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ancient construction materials - concrete and Malta's Torba (Maltese cement)


ancient concrete/cement (Maltese Torba) used for construction and masonry

What ancient construction materials were used to construct Malta's Solar Observatories found near Dingli Cliffs?There is more evidence of concrete and Malta's Torba (Maltese cement) used? Is there any evidence of it also being used at Gnejna Bay Malta horizon astronomy observatory? I looked at the Pillarstone or marker needle from nearby but will have to climb down to it to see how it was formed, if it is natural or man made.

ancient concrete (Torba in Maltese) used for building and as a "plinth course"

The astronomy observatories at Dingli Cliffs Malta appear to have used concrete/cement/mortar to construct foundations and plinth courses for larger boulders to stand on. Did they use it to form some or all of the boulders/blocks themselves? Does this explain the amount of small stones found on the top and in other parts of the island of Malta? Are they weathered down or destroyed masonry blocks created from Torba/concrete?


** Ancient concrete, cement, mortar, masonry and Torba - Malta's astronomy observatory at Dingli Cliffs

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Dingli Cliffs Malta astronomy observation complex - east hill and megaliths


Dingli Cliffs Malta astronomy observation complex - east hill observatory

These terraced hills near Dingli Cliffs on the island of Malta line up to make a solar/astronomy complex. The east hill has a flat top, a couple of smaller flat earth platforms and some Standing Stones. A few of these are very large Megaliths.

Megalithic (Standing Stones) near Dingli Cliffs Malta and the astronomy observation complex

There are smaller Menhirs and what might be Plinth blocks. The top may also have acted as a sundial.

For more information visit the Dingli Cliffs Malta astronomy observation complex - east hill and megaliths article
For more photographs visit the Dingli Cliffs Malta astronomy observation complex - east hill and megaliths photos album

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Malta's astronomy observatory complex at Dingli Cliffs - middle hill


ancient building materials and masonry blocks for the astronomy observatory on Malta

The middle hill of Malta's astronomy observatory near Dingli Cliffs has a lot of rocks, stones and rubble on it. A number of the large stones look like masonry building blocks as they have flat surfaces and straight sides.

ancient masonry blocks or modern? large Megalith/Menhir

Are these masonry building blocks ancient, modern or are the rock blocks in fact natural?

To read more on the middle observatory hill visit Astronomical Observatories - ancient structures Malta - middle hill solar observatory and masonry
More images of the megaliths and masonry blocks on the middle astronomy observatory hill

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Gnejna Bay, Mgarr, Malta - not just a sandy beach but Megaliths/Menhirs also


Gnejna Bay, Mgarr, Malta and its Megaliths/Menhirs and its solar observatory

At Gnejna Bay, Mgarr, Malta you will find a number of toppled over Megaliths/Menhirs around the Solar Observatory platform/sighting area. Some are close to the base stone or plinth stone that the stones use to stand on.

Megalith/Menhir with its base stone or Plinth stone found at Gnejna Bay, Mgarr, Malta

The above Megalith/Menhir is found beside the large cube stone that it stood on.

Were these stones in conjuction with the Solar Observatory rock formation to the west of them observed from the viewing platform or were they observed from even further back? The very strange shaped elongated pyramid hill beside the sandy Gnejna Bay or from other vantage points along the valley or surrounding hills?


** Gnejna Bay, Mgarr - Megaliths/Menhirs and the solar observatory
** Gnejna Bay, Mgarr - Megaliths/Menhirs images

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New Zealands horizon astronomy observation complex - Waitapu Valley


Waitapu Valleys (Maunganui Bluff) horizon astronomy observation complex and megaliths

At Waitapu Valley (Maunganui Bluff) in New Zealands North Island there is a wonderul horizon astronomy observation complex. It appears to be ancient and perhaps pre Maori. The Waitapu Valley has megaliths all over it, including in the woods, and stone circles around the area.


There is also what may be another horizon astronomy site (there may be many in New Zealand) located at the fascinating stone hut settlement at Tapapakanga Park.

I have visited these sites and can confirm that the physcial evidence is there and is more interesting than can be conveyed. The stone hut settlement at Tapapakanga Park has to be seen to believe what is actually there.


More information on New Zealands horizon astronomy observation complexes