Celebrating an island heritage: Malta's world-acclaimed sites include its sixteenth-century capital city and the temples of a mysterious Neolithic culture

Article Abstract:

The archipelago of Malta is rich in World Heritage Sites, including a number of megalithic temples, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum burial complex and the 16th-century capital city of Valletta. The megalithic temples and subterranean tombs date back more than 4500 years and had been abandoned by around 2500 BC, due to either an extensive change in culture or replacement of the population by outsiders. The rise of the temple culture may have been related to a change from an egalitarian to a hierarchical social structure, with competition in temple building replacing competition in trading.

Antiquities, Malta, Megalithic monuments, Neolithic period

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Early skull found in Java

Article Abstract:

A Homo erectus skull dated to 1.1-1.4 million years ago has been found in Sangiran, Java, according to palaeoanthropologist Donald Tyler, who has been conducting an archaeological survey in the area. The skull, most likely that of a female, is the oldest as well as the most complete Homo erectus skull known from Southeast Asia. Tyler has estimated its cranial capacity to be 856 cubic centimeters, which is at the low end of the range for Homo erectus.

Indonesia, Pithecanthropus erectus, Homo erectus

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In the shadow of the wall

Article Abstract:

The logistics and the mechanics of the construction of the Great Wall of China, is presented by William Lindesay.

China, Design and construction, Historic buildings, Great Wall of China

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