Hypogeum: 6,000 years and counting
In the dark underground of the Hypogeum huddled together with 10 strangers, you can almost imagine what the people who came before thought about while they were busy carving the walls and rooms of this ancient site. Whatever you imagine could be what happened there because there haven’t been enough pieces put together to say what the area truly was.
What We Know for Sure
When the Hypogeum was finally excavated, after having houses built over the top of it, the remains of 7,000 bodies were found. They were all jumbled up leading to the idea that the place was a tomb of sorts.
Archaeologists also found several different figurines, including Malta’s own “Sleeping Lady.” Many of the figurines are gender ambiguous. No one can say if they were placed there in reverence or if they were thrown in with the bodies.
The Hypogeum is the first example of sculpture as architecture. Early man carved away at the stone to create the illusion of architecture. Technically, this makes the Hypogeum a sculpture or a series of sculptures. So much care was used in the carving to take advantage of the rock’s natural strength, that the structure has survived several earthquakes throughout its 6,000 year history.
The carved rocks resemble several of the above ground temples on Malta. As the only example of an intact roof, the Hypogeum provides an insight to what those roofs looked like.
It is super fun to say “Hypogeum.”
Everything Else Is Conjecture
Is this a mass grave, a burial chamber, a site of worship or something else? While some theories are based on what is known about other prehistorical sites, it is important to remember that there is a reason that it is called prehistory. No one can say anything about what the site was used for with 100 percent accuracy. At the Hypogeum, this lack of information is exacerbated by the disturbance of the site long before it was reported as being discovered.
The Experience
In order to protect the delicate micro climate, only 10 people are allowed in the chambers per tour, and there are only about eight tours a day. The tours are nominally led by a docent with every participant receiving what looks like a cell phone to listen to the recorded narration and music. The music was created by a musician who spent considerable time in the chambers.
Be sure to get to know your fellow tour goers as quarters are tight. There are some places that it is important to allow everyone into the area to see what is being illuminated before the lights go out. Also, do not let the maps fool you, the visit is conducted in a very tiny area even if it consists of three levels. And mind thy head, this is one tour where it pays to be short.
No photos are allowed in the Hypogeum, and visitors are asked to leave everything that they might be holding in their hands in a cabinet at the beginning of the tour. Tickets are available online and should be booked in advance.
What We Know for Sure
When the Hypogeum was finally excavated, after having houses built over the top of it, the remains of 7,000 bodies were found. They were all jumbled up leading to the idea that the place was a tomb of sorts.
Archaeologists also found several different figurines, including Malta’s own “Sleeping Lady.” Many of the figurines are gender ambiguous. No one can say if they were placed there in reverence or if they were thrown in with the bodies.
The Hypogeum is the first example of sculpture as architecture. Early man carved away at the stone to create the illusion of architecture. Technically, this makes the Hypogeum a sculpture or a series of sculptures. So much care was used in the carving to take advantage of the rock’s natural strength, that the structure has survived several earthquakes throughout its 6,000 year history.
The carved rocks resemble several of the above ground temples on Malta. As the only example of an intact roof, the Hypogeum provides an insight to what those roofs looked like.
It is super fun to say “Hypogeum.”
Everything Else Is Conjecture
Is this a mass grave, a burial chamber, a site of worship or something else? While some theories are based on what is known about other prehistorical sites, it is important to remember that there is a reason that it is called prehistory. No one can say anything about what the site was used for with 100 percent accuracy. At the Hypogeum, this lack of information is exacerbated by the disturbance of the site long before it was reported as being discovered.
The Experience
In order to protect the delicate micro climate, only 10 people are allowed in the chambers per tour, and there are only about eight tours a day. The tours are nominally led by a docent with every participant receiving what looks like a cell phone to listen to the recorded narration and music. The music was created by a musician who spent considerable time in the chambers.
Be sure to get to know your fellow tour goers as quarters are tight. There are some places that it is important to allow everyone into the area to see what is being illuminated before the lights go out. Also, do not let the maps fool you, the visit is conducted in a very tiny area even if it consists of three levels. And mind thy head, this is one tour where it pays to be short.
No photos are allowed in the Hypogeum, and visitors are asked to leave everything that they might be holding in their hands in a cabinet at the beginning of the tour. Tickets are available online and should be booked in advance.