Skorba Temples

Skorba

Location within Malta
Location	Żebbiegħ, Mġarr, Malta
Coordinates	35°55′14.84″N 14°22′39.58″E / 35.9207889°N 14.3776611°E / 35.9207889; 14.3776611
Type	Temple Village
History
Material	Limestone
Founded	c.4850 BC (earliest remains) c.3600 BC (temple)
Periods	Għar Dalam phase Grey Skorba phase Red Skorba phase Ġgantija phase Tarxien phase
Site notes
Excavation dates	1914–1961
Archaeologists	David Trump
Condition	Ruins
Ownership	Government of Malta
Management	Heritage Malta
Public access	Yes
Website	Heritage Malta
UNESCO World Heritage Site
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Part of	Megalithic Temples of Malta
Criteria	Cultural: (iv)
Reference	132ter-005
Inscription	1980 (4th Session)
Extensions	1992, 2015
Area	0.103 ha (11,100 sq ft)

The Skorba temples are megalithic remains on the northern edge of Żebbiegħ, in Malta, which have provided detailed and informative insight into the earliest periods of Malta's neolithic culture.^[1] The site was only excavated in the early 1960s, rather late in comparison to other megalithic sites, some of which had been studied since the early 19th century. The site's importance has led to its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a listing it shares with six other megalithic temples in Malta.

This later excavation allowed the use of modern methods of dating and analysis. The temple itself is not in good condition, especially in comparison to the more complete temples of Ħaġar Qim and Tarxien. However, the importance of this site does not lie in the actual remains but rather in what was garnered from their excavation.^[2]