T hese temples were built by the same culture that constructed Malta's hypogeum. They were primarily farmers who came to the island from Sicily, but then became cut off. They developed an elaborate culture including complex religious ceremonies. At one time it was believed the temples were constructed by the Phonecians who settled in the area around 1650bc, but these artifacts are much older. The culture that created them appears to have worshiped a goddess, as many small statues of her form have been found in the area. The temples and the caverns are very similar in form, indicating the culture believed in a close link between life and death. 23 such temples have been found in places like Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, Tarxien, Ta' Hagratand Skorba on Malta, and Ggantija on the island of Gozo.
