Xagħra Stone Circle, Prehistoric burial complex in Xaghra, Malta
The Xagħra Stone Circle is a prehistoric burial site beneath a hilltop containing natural underground caves ringed by upright standing stones. These megalithic markers create a boundary around the cave entrance, with the stone circle oriented toward the nearby Ggantija temples.
This burial ground began during the early stone age roughly 6,000 years ago and served its purpose across many centuries. The underground chambers were expanded and used over time, with the most intensive burials occurring during the middle periods of this long funerary tradition.
This burial ground served as a communal resting place where people of all social ranks were laid to rest in the underground chambers. The careful arrangement of remains by age and gender shows how prehistoric communities honored their dead with thought and care.
The site is easily reached on foot and sits near other archaeological locations that can be visited in one day. Access to the underground caves involves descending stairs and sometimes stooping low, so sturdy shoes and a willingness to move carefully are helpful.
Evidence from excavations reveals that bodies were intentionally dismembered before burial, with different body parts placed in separate locations throughout the cave system. This deliberate practice offers insight into how prehistoric people understood death and what they believed happened afterward.
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