Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
7445237 Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 2018 6 Pages PDF
Abstract
Cosmological alignment plays an important role in Neolithic Maltese belief systems. Temple complexes and hypogea have indications of solar, sidereal or lunar arrangements, yet sources are often based on mathematical calculations at specific key points of the year. The data is limited by computational requirements, providing only a partial picture of this phenomenon. Through the use of a Unity3D script the temples of Ggantija, Gozo, are re-analysed, exposing additional information regarding duration, timing and reuse. The script calculates the illumination of internal spaces throughout the year, expanding the dataset and providing insight into past ritual. The contrast between dark and light is demonstrated within the context of Maltese ritual belief, using archaeological evidence from Ggantija and other temples as a basis. The results emphasise the wider uses of 3D reconstruction and scripting for the interpretation of archaeological structures.
Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Arts and Humanities History
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