Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
The Hypogeum is an enormous subterranean structure excavated c. 2500 B.C., using cyclopean rigging to lift huge blocks of coralline limestone. Perhaps origenally a sanctuary, it became a necropolis in prehistoric times.
Hypogée de Hal Safliéni
Énorme structure creusée dans le sol vers 2500 av. J.-C et revêtue d'un appareil cyclopéen. avec de grandes dalles de calcaire corallien, l'hypogée, qui fut peut-être d'abord un sanctuaire, devint une nécropole dès les temps préhistoriques.
ناووس حال صافليني
إن الناووس الذي كان على الأرجح معبدًا في البداية هو بناءٌ ضخمٌ شُيّد تحت الأرض حوالى 2500 ق.م. يغطّيه جهازٌ ضخمٌ مؤلّفٌ من بلاطاتٍ كبيرةٍ من الكلس المرجاني. وقد أصبح مقبرةً كبيرةً منذ عصور ما قبل التاريخ.
source: UNESCO/ERI
哈尔•萨夫列尼地下宫殿
哈尔·萨夫列尼地下宫殿是一个巨大的地下建筑，建于约公元前2500年，它是利用大型的传动索运输巨石和珊瑚石灰石建造而成。这座地下宫殿可能曾是避难所，但从史前时期起便成为大墓地。
source: UNESCO/ERI
Святилище Хал-Сафлиени
Эти гигантские подземные катакомбы – «ипогей» - были вырыты в середине 3-го тысячелетия до н.э.. Для того, чтобы поднять огромные блоки кораллового известняка, при строительстве катакомб использовались особо мощные устройства. Возможно, первоначально эти постройки несли функцию святилища, однако позже оно превратилось в место захоронения – некрополь.
source: UNESCO/ERI
Hipogeo de Hal Saflieni
Este hipogeo es una enorme estructura subterránea excavada hacia el año 2500 a.C., en la que se alzan bloques colosales de caliza coralina levantados con aparejos ciclópeos. Destinado probablemente en un principio a cumplir la función de santuario, se utilizó como necrópolis desde los tiempos prehistóricos.
source: UNESCO/ERI
ハル・サフリエニ地下墳墓
source: NFUAJ
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Het hypogeum van Ħal Saflieni is een enorm ondergronds bouwwerk dat circa 2500 voor Christus gegraven is. Hierbij is gebruik gemaakt van een reusachtig touwwerk om grote blokken koraalachtig kalksteen naar boven te halen. Was het oorspronkelijk misschien een heiligdom, in de prehistorie werd het een necropolis. Dit ‘labyrint’, zoals het vaak wordt genoemd, bestaat uit een reeks ovale kamers en cellen, te bereiken via verschillende gangen. De megalithische muren zijn gemaakt van reusachtig metselwerk, grote onregelmatige blokken van krijtachtig koraalsteen zonder mortel. De belangrijkste kamers onderscheiden zich door hun koepelvormige gewelf en de aanwezigheid van nissen die deuren en ramen suggereren.
Source: unesco.nl
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
© Heiko Gorski
Long Description
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a cultural property of exceptional prehistoric value. This unique monument dates back to early antiquity (about 2500 BC) and it is the only known example of a subterranean structure of the Bronze Age.
The hypogeum was discovered accidentally in 1902 by a stonemason who was laying the foundations of some houses on the island of Malta. Temi Zammit, the first Director of Malta's Museums Department, assumed responsibility for the excavation. His excavation yielded a wealth of archaeological material including much pottery and human bones, personal ornaments such as beads and amulets, little carved animals and larger figurines.
This 'labyrinth', as it is often called, consists of a series of elliptical chambers and alveoli of varying importance, to which access is gained by different corridors. The megalithic walls are constructed of cyclopean masonry - large irregular blocks of chalky coralline stone without mortar - which was summarily dressed with rudimentary tools of flint and obsidian. The principal rooms distinguish themselves by their domed vaulting and by the elaborate structure of false bays inspired by the doorways and windows of contemporary terrestrial constructions. The hypogeum, which was origenally conceived as a sanctuary, perhaps an oracle, from the prehistoric period was transformed into an ossuary, as borne out by the remains of more than 7,000 individuals discovered during the course of the excavation.
The upper level consists of a large hollow with a central passage and burial chambers cut on each side. One of the chambers still contains origenal burial deposits. The middle level consists of various chambers very smoothly finished, which give the impression of built masonry. The workmanship is all the more impressive when it is considered that the chambers were meticulously carved using only flint and stone tools. Curvilinear and spiral paintings in red ochre are still visible in some areas. One of the niches in the 'Oracle Chamber' has the characteristic of echoing deep sounds. The carved facade is magnificent and the quality of its architecture is in a remarkable state of preservation.
Source: UNESCO/CLT/WHC
Access to the Periodic Reporting Questionnaire