On Saturday 20th April, Heritage Malta is inviting the public to explore the Maltese Islands’ deep prehistoric past at Għar Dalam and the Borġ in-Nadur Prehistoric Complex.

Both sites, located in Birżebbuġa, will be open for free.

Għar Dalam is Malta’s oldest prehistoric site. It also bears evidence of the earliest human presence on the island some 7,400 years ago.

Rows of ancient animal bones, unearthed from the site’s cave and exhibited in one of the last remaining Victorian-style displays in Europe, shed light onto this bygone era.

Inside the Għar Dalam cave itself, naturally decorated with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites and a variety of rock formations, visitors experience a sense of awe in appreciation of our islands’ mystifying distant past. This site is also home to various indigenous plants and trees, and forms part of the Natura 2000 network of protected sites.

During Saturday’s open day, the public will also be able to visit the neighbouring site of Borġ in-Nadur. Uniquely positioned on high ground between two valleys – Wied Żembaq and Wied Dalam – this Neolithic site was excavated in the 1920s by eminent archaeologist Margaret Murray and proved crucial in understanding facets of Maltese prehistory.

The day will be made even brighter with various family-friendly activities, thanks to the collaboration of other entities. These include hands-on activities for children, information stands about Heritage Malta’s passport and membership schemes, as well as Heritage Malta publications for sale. Children will receive a small gift.

Both sites will be open between 9am and 5pm, with the last allowed admission at 4:30pm.

Here is the full programme of events:

Għar Dalam

10:30am: Għar Dalam tour in Maltese

11am: Storytelling

12:30pm: Għar Dalam tour in English

12:30pm: Storytelling

2pm: Treasure hunt

2:30pm: Tour of the valley and explanation of the Wied Dalam Project (maximum 25 people)

3pm: Storytelling

Other children’s activities from 9:30am till 4pm: Face painting, foam building blocks and other games

Borġ in-Nadur

09:30am: Borġ in-Nadur tour in English

10:30am – 1pm: Archaeology stand offering hands-on activities for all ages with a selection of typical remains from an archaeological site. Participants will be able to learn about the different materials found as well as their contexts.

11:30am: Borġ in-Nadur tour in Maltese

3pm: Borġ in-Nadur tour in Maltese

Will you be attending?