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DC Field | Value | Language |
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dc.contributor.author | Torpiano, Alex | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2017-01-25T10:57:01Z | |
dc.date.available | 2017-01-25T10:57:01Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2011 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Alex Torpiano (2011). The engineering of Malta's megalithic prehistoric temples | en_GB |
dc.identifier.uri | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/15851 | |
dc.description | Photographs in this presentation are by the author, or by Daniel Cilia, as published in these books. Credit also to R.H.G.Parry for some images from his paper Megalith Mechanics, Proc.Inst.Civ.Eng., Nov. 2000 | en_GB |
dc.description.abstract | This is a presentation of the engineering of Malta's megalithic prehistoric temples. The prehistoric megalithic structures of Malta and Gozo date back to a civilization of 4500 to 5500 years ago. Although now in ruins, their longevity is remarkable, and must be due to the inherent durability of limestone, properly selected, as well as to the underlying engineering principles and construction. Prehistoric civilizations are often, erroneously, perceived as technologically primitive, however these prehistoric structures are technologically remarkable. This paper proposes engineering principles underlying its longevity. Hitherto, many of the features of the extant structure have been explained as having “decorative” functions. The author suggests that these features should be assessed in the light of the possible engineering and constructional processes adopted; this approach is based on the belief that, particularly for civilizations in which energy resources were stretched, it would not make “resource” sense, if these features were not there for a specific purpose – it would not be, using modern terminology, sustainable. | en_GB |
dc.language.iso | en | en_GB |
dc.rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess | en_GB |
dc.subject | Neolithic period -- Malta | en_GB |
dc.subject | Antiquities, Prehistoric -- Malta | en_GB |
dc.subject | Malta -- Antiquities | en_GB |
dc.subject | Megalithic temples -- Malta -- Design and construction | en_GB |
dc.subject | Engineering -- Malta -- History | en_GB |
dc.title | The engineering of Malta's megalithic prehistoric temples | en_GB |
dc.type | presentation | en_GB |
dc.rights.holder | The copyright of this work belongs to the author(s)/publisher. The rights of this work are as defined by the appropriate Copyright Legislation or as modified by any successive legislation. Users may access this work and can make use of the information contained in accordance with the Copyright Legislation provided that the author must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the prior permission of the copyright holder. | en_GB |
dc.description.reviewed | peer-reviewed | en_GB |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacBenAUD |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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THE ENGINEERING OF MALTA'S MEGALITHIC PREHISTORIC TEMPLES.pdf | 28.38 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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