Recent findings! Malta’s prehistoric temples may have taught ancient sailors to navigate by the stars
Malta’s mysterious megalithic temples, among the oldest free-standing structures in the world, have recently garnered international attention in The Art Newspaper for a theory linking them to ancient seafaring.
According to new research published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, these temples may have served as early tools for teaching navigation by the stars.
Built between 3800BC and 2400BC, the prehistoric temples, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have long puzzled experts. Their unique layout, with straight entrance corridors opening into central courtyards, has inspired various interpretations, from religious use to solar alignments. However, a new analysis by archaeologists Fabio Silva of Bournemouth University and Tore Lomsdalen suggests another possibility: that they were celestial classrooms for ancient sailors.
By measuring the orientation of 32 temple structures, the researchers found that early temples from the Ġgantija phase (3400BC–3100BC) consistently align with southern stars such as Hadar, Gacrux, and Avior; celestial markers potentially used for open-sea navigation.
The theory proposes that these alignments helped young navigators memorise key stars visible during their voyages across the Mediterranean, particularly the treacherous return journey from Sicily to Malta, when no land is in sight.
The researchers even speculate that temple courtyards may have been filled with water to reflect the night sky, simulating conditions at sea. While the idea remains theoretical, it offers a fascinating new perspective on the possible function of Malta’s prehistoric temples and the sophistication of its early inhabitants.
This research adds a compelling layer to Malta’s already rich archaeological heritage, linking the island’s ancient past with its maritime identity, and suggesting that long before GPS, Maltese seafarers may have learned to sail by starlight.
Which is your favourite Maltese temple?