The Collapse and Proposed Restoration of a Prehistoric Megalithic Structure A
Transactions on the Built Environment vol 15, © 1995 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3509 The collapse and proposed restoration of a prehistoric megalithic structure A. Torpiano Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta, Malta Abstract A recent partial collapse of one of the megalithic temples in Malta, dating back to 3000-3500BC, has presented an opportunity to study the structure of one of these temples in greater detail, in order to evaluate the cause of the collapse, as well as to consider the feasible limits of restoration. Since their discovery and excavation, in the middle of the last century, the limestone temple structures have been exposed to a variety of damaging environmental conditions, which have resulted in an alarming rate of deterioration. The paper summarises the structural characteristics of the temples, and the various factors that have a deleterious effect, particularly those that led to the partial collapse. 1 Introduction The complex of prehistoric megalithic temples at Mnajdra, in Malta, consists of three distinct temples, referred to as the Upper, Middle and Lower temples, and is located close to the edge of a promontory on the south-west coast of the island, at approximately 85m above sea-level, at a latitude of 35.83°N. Another major temple complex, known as Hagar Qim, lies around 500m east, at approximately 135m above sea-level; other prehistoric remains can be found within a similar distance to the north of the site. This testifies to the special significance that the site must have had for our ancestors. The remains of the Mnajdra temples were first excavated in 1840 by C.Lenormantl; further excavations were carried out in 1910 by Ashby^, before the site lapsed into obscurity up to the middle of this century.
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