6 everyday mysteries in Malta’s countryside revealed

Attractions

Know what you might be stumbling upon while rambling in the Maltese countryside.

Melanie Drury

Malta is an archaeological playground

It is said that every square metre of Maltese land contains a relic from the past, whether above or below ground. It sounds true enough, with over 50 archaeological sites scattered around a mere 320 km² and digging for development invariably halting due to new finds. But even a simple walk in the Maltese countryside will lead you to stumble upon a few curiosities. Here’s what you can expect to find.

Main photo: ©viewingmalta.com by Bernice Yeomans

1. Standing stones

If you see some very large stones next to each other, it is likely that you have come across the ruins of a 5,000-year-old building. Some of Malta’s temple sites have been granted UNESCO World Heritage status, but that’s not the lot! Only the better-preserved sites that have yielded valuable artefacts and clues to the past are well-known, but several standing stones continue to stand anonymously in the Maltese countryside.

FIND THEM: They may form part of a rubble wall built by farmers or rise inconspicuously from the ground, as if to say, “You don’t know me, but I know all the stories of this land through the ages.”

2. Parallel grooves in the ground

Nobody really knows what they are, however, the theory is that the grooves were worn into the rock by the transportation of heavy burdens on rollers, hence 'cart ruts.'But the grooves are often several centimetres deep, randomly located and lead nowhere in particular, often disappearing suddenly, even off the edge of cliffs and continuing on the seabed, as in Birzebbugia. Many therefore favour other theories, such as irrigation (but why parallel lines?) and even UFO landing strips!

FIND THEM: These mysterious parallel grooves appear in approximately 150 sites across Malta and Gozo but you will find the most impressive cart ruts at the famous Clapham Junction on the outskirts of Buskett Gardens, where there are so many, it looks like a prehistoric railway station.

3. Rock cut caves

These often elaborate cave complexes can be identified from ordinary caves due to the rock-cut interiors and rubble walls that have shaped the existing caves to make comfortable dwellings. They will include sleeping quarters, cooking areas and communal hangout areas, which you can guess at just by observing the spaces.

FIND THEM: Such complexes include those at L-Ghar il-Kbir l/o Siggiewi and in Mellieha, however, several cave dwellings are scattered around Malta and Gozo. It is said that some individuals still refuse to leave their countryside shelter in favour of modern utilities and comforts, yet their whereabouts is a secret!

4. Dugout chambers

Smaller holes dug out of the rocky ground or precipices will more often than not turn out to be Punic tombs. So now you know. However, if you really want to amaze yourself, visit the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum (pre-booking weeks ahead is necessary) for one of the largest and most intricate and beautiful underground tomb complexes in the world.

FIND THEM: Check out the punic tombs at Bingemma.

5. Holes in precipices

A curious series of holes in a precipice may turn out to be series of tombs as suggested previously, or, perhaps, a Roman apiary. The Romans held Malta in high regard for its honey-making potential, and these tiny holes will often be accompanied by an entrance to a dugout back chamber, where the honeypots were placed and then collected.

FIND THEM: The Roman Apiary in Xemxija is worth a visit, partly for the curiosity, partly for the view and partly for all the other interesting things scattered in the area (more info at the end).

6. Rock-cut trays on the coast

Although salt pans and salt production form an integral part of Maltese tradition and culture, many of them are now in disuse, leaving the unknowing with curiosity about the grid of rock-cut squares and odd shapes found on the rocky coast of the Maltese Islands.

FIND THEM: Commonplace along the Maltese and Gozitan coast, these shallow trays have been cut into the rock for the production of salt.

One walk to see them all

Take a walk along the Xemxija Heritage Trail, St Paul's Bay, that follows an old Roman Road to find almost all of the above concentrated in a single area.

The walk will take you first to a Roman Apiary and past a 1,000-year-old carob tree to the top of the hill. On the left, you will find the untouched remnants of a prehistoric temple, and on the right, you will find a few punic tombs. Further afield, you'll come to a few rock-cut caves that include old Roman Baths. Up top, in the residential area, lie a set of cart ruts.

The salt pans are not far off either - Salina Bay, the main production area of salt in Malta, is just 5 km away.

Written by

Melanie Drury

Melanie was born and raised in Malta and has spent a large chunk of her life travelling solo around the world. Back on the island with a new outlook, she realised just how much wealth her little island home possesses.

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