By Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary antiquity is defined as ancient times, particularly those predating the Middle Ages. By this imprecise timeline, Malta's remote history is comparatively relegated to the modern age. Long before Greece and Rome were centers of learning and empire, Malta had already become the object of territorial skirmishes and conquests by early Mediterranean seafaring civilizations. The many pre-historic edifices still standing today are mute testimonials of the island's astounding role it played in shaping western civilization, by sheer fortitude of its strategic geographical location. Whoever controlled Malta, then as now, reigned supreme over the entire Mediterranean and distant ports surrounding its peripheral. Malta served as a port of safe haven, stepping stone to imperial aspirations, and trade center to commerce spanning three continents, whose maritime interests converged in the narrow straits separating Europe, Africa and Asia Minor. Few other countries on earth have as many distinctive sites of antiquity and historic significance per square mile, as Malta given its small size.
How far back Maltese history goes is open to conjecture. No one knows with certainty how or when Malta derived its name. According to one version it is derived from the Greek Meli (honey), or Melta (bee). Other historians say it originated from the Phoenician Mala (harbor or refuge). What is known for certain is that the island's recorded history predates most other European chronicles. One of the earliest accounts on record took place during a period of about ten years in the 1100's BC. The Odyssey consisting of twenty four books (sections) was composed by the Greek poet Homer, probably in the 700's BC. Its central character is Odysseus (Ulysses in Latin), the king of Ithaca. Aeolus was the father of the winds in Greek mythology. The winds lived with their father on the Aeolian Islands (Malta and Gozo). Aeolus kept them in bags and set them free according to his whims. Persistent strong winds blow over the Maltese archipelago, making it most attractive for world class sailing and surfing. Any surfer that has been to Malta in search of wind and surf can attest to Aeolus' generosity. The term "windbag" has its origin in this legend.
Twenty three megalithic temples dating back some six thousand years are found in Malta. They are the earliest known freestanding stone structures in the world, predating the pyramids by a thousand years and Stonehenge by two thousand. Few other countries, if any, can claim such well preserved antiquities. These pre-historic structures belong to humanity at large. Two of them, the Ggantija (Giantess) on the island of Gozo and the Hypogeum in Paola Malta, along with the Renaissance capital city of Valletta, are in fact designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Gozo's culture and its natural environment is a likely candidate for Malta's fourth World Heritage Site. This is an astonishing number of sites, given Malta's territorial boundaries roughly extend to half the land size of Los Angeles city. The National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, now under major renovation with UNESCO technical and financial assistance, will when completed house a comprehensive overview of Malta's past, from the arrival of people in the fifth millennium BC, to the building of Valletta in the 10th century.
As time goes by more people than ever before are becoming aware of Malta's important role in the shaping of Europe and indeed world history. Significantly people from Eastern Europe and Asia are seeing first hand, Malta's ancient sites and appreciating its remarkable history in larger numbers, a most welcomed turn of events. Malta is awaiting discovery by tourists of American nationality, who travel extensively in search of western roots. All are welcomed with traditional Maltese hospitality.
E-mail to Joseph Vella: vellajoseph@msn.net
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