Description of the Training Content:

Preparation:

For prehistory lovers, Malta is one of the most remarkable places on earth. Monumental buildings called Temples scattered throughout our islands exceed in age the earlier stone structures of Egypt and the surviving monuments of Mesopotamia. They have been defined the oldest free standing stone monuments in the world. Participants should prepare themselves by doing some research on the Maltese Islands. Prior to participant’s arrival we will provide participants with the programme, suggested reading material and research sites.

Objectives:

This course will give participants the opportunity to tackle key themes such as the cultural and religious beliefs behind these enigmatic stone structures that have never ceased to exert an atmosphere of magic and mystery. The course also aims at motivating participants at making good use of both published and visual aids to make their teaching more interesting and effective as well as improve their command of spoken English.

Methodology:

The course will consist of a series of lectures with site-visits to complement the topics of the day. Highly qualified lecturers ensure a simple approach of the highest levels of learning. Hand-outs / notes will be given to participants prior to site-visits. There will be ample time for discussion on the topics both in the lecture room and on-site. At the end of the course there will be a full discussion and an evaluation session so that participants can report their opinion on the quality of the training. This will be followed by the presentation of certificates to the participants.

Follow-up:

The Organizers will keep close contact with all the participants either via email or communication in order to be able to answer queries about particular issues raised in course. We will also be available to help course participants in drawing up further courses/modules about the Malta’s prehistory.

Day by Day programme:

Day 1: Introductory Meeting; Registration of Participants; Welcome drink and Dinner.

Day 2: Lecture 1: Introduction to Archaeology as a Science; Coffee Break; Lecture 2: Malta’s Prehistoric Past; Lunch; Site Visits - The Archaeological Museum, Discussion; Dinner.

Day 3: Lecture 3: Cave Dwellers in South Western Europe & Malta; Coffee Break; Lecture 4: The Enigmatic Cart Ruts; Lunch; Site Visits: Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum, Dingli, Ghar il-Kbir; Discussion; Dinner.

Day 4: Lecture 5: The enigma of Megaliths; Coffee Break; Lecture 6: The Temple Builders; Lunch; Site Visits: The Limestone Heritage; Tarxien Megalithic Temples; Discussion; Dinner.

Day 5: Ferry to Gozo: Lecture 7: Prehistoric Art; Site Visit: Ggantija Temples and Archaeological Museum; Lunch; Discussion; Return to Course Venue / Hotel; Dinner.

Day 6: Lecture 8: Religious Beliefs; Coffee Break; Lecture 9: The End of Prehistory; Lunch; Site Visits: Skorba and Mgarr; Xemxija Tombs; Discussion and Evaluation Session; Farewell Dinner; Presentation of Certificates.

Day 7: Departure.