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The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni (Maltese: Ipoġew ta' Ħal Saflieni ) is a Neolithic subterranean structure dating to the Saflieni phase (3300 – 3000 BC) in Maltese prehistory, located in Paola, Malta.

It is often simply referred to as the Hypogeum, literally meaning "underground" in Greek. The Hypogeum is thought to have been a sanctuary and necropolis, with the estimated remains of more than 7,000 people documented by archeologists, and is among the best preserved examples of the Maltese temple building culture that also produced the Megalithic Temples and Xagħra Stone Circle.

This hypogeum (Hellenic Υπό+ Γαία meaning Under+ Earth) is named for the locality under which it lies, namely Ħal Saflieni, a village that no longer exists. Ħal means "village" and saflieni means "low"; as both words are of Berber origin, the name "Ħal Saflieni" may have appeared after Muslims came to Malta. However, Ħal Saflieni is indeed lower than the nearby village Ħal Fuqani (fuqani means "high") located between Tarxien and Luqa.

The Hypogeum was discovered by accident in 1902 when workers cutting cisterns for a new housing development broke through its roof. During the excavations, a portion of the contents of the Hypogeum, including grave goods and human remains, were emptied out and discarded without being properly catalogued. The Hypogeum was first opened to visitors in 1908 while the excavations were ongoing. The four contemporary houses built on the site of the hypogeum were demolished to build a museum. The Hypogeum was then closed to visitors between 1991 and 2000 for restoration works and to arrange it for visits; and since its reopening, Heritage Malta (the government body that looks after historical sites) allows entry to only 80 people per day, while the site's microclimate is strictly regulated. Scientific research on the Hypogeum is ongoing, and in 2014, an international team of scientists visited to study acoustics. The Hypogeum reopened in May 2017 after closing for a year to improve its environmental management system.

Later archeological excavations indicate there was once a surface shrine that marked the entrance to the Hypogeum, with its subsequent destruction likely shielding the lower structure from discovery for thousands of years. Nothing remains of any potential enclosure that would have marked the entry to the Hypogeum. Burial chambers in the upper level of the Hypogeum date from the early phases of the Maltese Temple Period, with lower chambers dating from later. One of the main chambers, called "The Holy of Holies", appears to be oriented so that light from the winter solstice illuminated its facade from the original opening above. A resonance niche cut in the middle chamber, called the Oracle Room, was possibly designed to project chanting or drumming throughout the rest of the Hypogeum. It is estimated that the remains of 7,000 individuals were found in the Hypogeum, and though many of the bones were lost early in excavation, most of the skulls were deposited at the National Museum. A small percentage of the skulls have an abnormal cranial elongation, similar to priestly skulls from Ancient Egypt, fueling speculation about the people who occupied the Hypogeum, and their practices and beliefs.

Holy of Holies: Perhaps the central structure of the Hypogeum, this room appears to be oriented toward the winter solstice, which would have illuminated its facade from the original surface opening.

The Hal Saflieni prehistoric Hypogeum site is a very popular attraction in Malta . After noon, these last minute tickets can also be obtained from other Heritage Malta sites/museums; these are National Museum of Archaeology, Domus Romana and Hypogeum itself. The renovated museum was inaugurated by the Maltese Minister for Culture on 28 April 2017 and includes a new climate control system for the Hypogeum as well as an expanded visitor centre.

Quick Facts

• Burial chambers in the upper level of the Hypogeum date from the early phases of the Maltese Temple Period, with lower chambers dating from later.
• The Hal Saflieni prehistoric Hypogeum site is a very popular attraction in Malta .
• It is often simply referred to as the Hypogeum, literally meaning "underground" in Greek.
• It is estimated that the remains of 7,000 individuals were found in the Hypogeum, and though many of the bones were lost early in excavation, most of the skulls were deposited at the National Museum.
• However, Ħal Saflieni is indeed lower than the nearby village Ħal Fuqani (fuqani means "high") located between Tarxien and Luqa.

Source material: Wikipedia - "Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum". Adapted and summarized for DiscoverScroll. Original contributors are credited through the linked Wikipedia article. Read original on Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes were made from the original.