MALTA: Għar Dalam (Cave of Darkness or Elephant Cave)

Neolithic - Għar Dalam (Cave of Darkness) 5200-4500 BC. As per Prof Aquilina, "Dalam" above comes from the Arabic "Dulam" which means elephant so it may perhaps be Elephant Cave because they found elephants' bones inside it.

Malta has been inhabited since about 5200 BC.

Għar Dalam Cave is a highly important site as it was here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered.

The display area consists of two parts: the Cave; and the Museum, which exhibits a remarkable wealth of finds from animal bones to human artefacts. The cave was formed by an overlaying river running at right angles to the present-day cave. It is some 144 metres deep, but only the first fifty metres are open to visitors.

Għar Dalam also has a small garden of indigenous and exotic plants and trees. Specimens include the native national plant, Palaeocyanus crassifolius (the Maltese Centaury) and the national tree Tetraclinis articulata (Sandarac Gum Tree). There are also two large specimens of the exotic and locally rare Wigandia caracasana with its thick fleshy leaves and violet blossoms.

Dwarf elephant, hippopotamus, deer and bear bone deposits found there are of a different age; the hippopotamuses became extinct about 180,000 years ago, whilst the deer species became extinct much later, about 18,000 years ago. It is also here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered.

"Għar Dalam Cave and Museum" is operated by Heritage Malta.
All the New Wing of the Museum was set up by my father. It would be so nice if you could add a little caption somewhere, say to the first shot of the new museum, or anywhere else.

The new wing, a 900-square metre hall, was set up by George Zammit Maempel, the curator, assisted by museum officer Ivan Bugeja.

The previous wing, built in 1929 by Giuseppe Despott and set up in Victorian style in 1933 by Dr Guzè Baldacchino, has been preserved for historical purposes as a sign of respect towards the pioneers in this field.

More info on Times of Malta written by Rosianne Zammit - http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20020524/news/new-wing-at-ghar-dala...

Photos by Choy Hong (Jasmine) Grech.
Video by Alfred and Jasmine Grech, Mosta, Malta.

© jasalf5959

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• malta
• gozo
• birzebbuga
• museum
• archeology
• prehistoric
• bones
• Ghar Dalam
• cave
• darkness
• tourist
• touring
• deer
• elephant
• dwarf
• jasalf
• jasalf5959
• jasmine
• alfred
• grech
• mediterranean

[JasAlf5959]

Dear forevermk1942, thanks. I don't think they teach the Theory of Evolution, at least not in public schools but I left school half a century ago, so I don't know what they teach today.

Yes, Malta is packed with history and if someone gets truly interested in studying about it, s/he will find a lot to read. Jasmine googles all the time to learn about the history of various places we visit. She is extremely interested in Malta and its past.

We have many beautiful sceneries to enjoy.

[Markgcr]

I used to live across the road from Ghar Dalam, in the late 50's. The museum has certainly grown.

[JasAlf5959]

Even the road in front of Ghar Dalam has changed, in fact most of the south has changed a lot.

[Markgcr]

It was very quiet then. The container port wasn't there. I have some cine films that my dad shot in Malta in 1959. I should post them up here. We rented the Govenors house across the road. It is still there but now a convention centre I believe.

[JasAlf5959]

Malta used to be quieter all over but it is now more developed. Birzebbuga's Pretty Bay is extremely beautiful.

Please search for jasalf5959 pretty bay and you'll see a video we posted about that area.

[Markgcr]

Thank you for all the videos. I shall enjoy watching some of them tonight

Mark

[GanniB]

In Malta they teach evolution (which is fact, not theory) and not creationism, which is pure myth.

[forevermk1942]

Very interesting information!

One of the questions that comes to mind:

I understand that Malta is predominately a Catholic country. My question is, "Do the schools teach the Theory of Evolution opposing Creationism, as is taught in the USA?" USA teachers tend to forget that it is a theory and teach it as "proven" fact.

Malta is layer upon layer upon layer of rich history!

Jasmine and Alfred, all of your videos are interesting to me. Thank you for making them.

[tedattard]

THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK