The Underground Labyrinth

The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni

It was discovered in 1902 when workers cutting cisterns (water tanks) for a new housing development broke through its roof. It is located in Paola, Malta and dates back at least 4,500 years. The underground labyrinth is made from soft globigerina limestone and consists of three levels. 

Upper level- Some of the chambers were used for burial.  Remains of more than 7,000 people have been found inside. Some of the skulls have strange elongations and shapes. 

Middle level-

The main chamber- its walls are red with clay and it is where the "Sleeping Lady" was discovered. The clay figure thought to represent a mother goddess.

The Oracle Room- It's one of the smallest chambers and has an elaborately painted ceiling, consisting of spirals in red clay with circular spots and spirals. It has been carved to produce echo anomaly.

Decorated Room- It is near the Oracle Room and is a spacious hall, circular, with inward slanting smooth walls, richly decorated in a geometrical pattern of spirals. On the right side wall of the entrance is a image of a human hand carved into the rock.

Holy of Holies- is the center room of the labyrinth and appears to be oriented toward the winter solstice. 

Lower level-
It contained no bones or offerings, only water. It is thought that this was the storage area for grain.

Excavations began in November of 1903 by Manuel Magri on behalf of the Museums Committee. Some of the  grave goods and human remains, were emptied out and discarded without being properly cataloged. Also, Magri died in 1907 while conducting missionary work in Tunisia and his report on the Hypogeum was lost.

Excavation continued under Sir Themistocles Zammit, who attempted to salvage what he could and continued excavating until 1911. 

The labyrinth opened to visitors in 1908 while the excavations were ongoing. Real attempts to preserve the site started in 1991 when it closed for a decade to arrange it for visits. In 2011, a more intensive program was launched to monitor the decay of the site.The labyrinth reopened in May 2017 after being closed for a year.

Some say that the labyrinth was built for religious purposes.