Things to do in Malta – Visit the National Museum of Archaeology

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To learn more about prehistoric Malta and to see many of the artifacts discovered in the country’s ancient and sacred sites, visit the National Museum of Archaeology.

The museum, housed in the Auberge de Provence (former home of the Knights of Saint John originating from Provence, France), contains an intriguing collection of artifacts from the Neolithic (5000 B.C.) to the Phoenician (400 B.C.) periods. 

Among the objects on display, you’ll see:

Models of the Neolithic temples and hypogea;

Tools, implements, blades, and weapons of bone, stone, and bronze, including awls, axe heads, and flat daggers discovered at the Tarxien Temples;

A funnel, several pumice stones, spindle whorls, and weights;

A collection of pottery, among which are:

Fragments of stylized figurines;

Pottery Sherds National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

Sherds,

Pottery Sherd Solar Wheel National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

one of which is decorated with an engraving of a solar wheel;

Pottery Amphora National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

Amphorae; 

Pottery Amphora National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

Bowls, including one uniquely decorated with dots; 

Pottery Plates National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

Plates;

Pottery Collection National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

A variety of jugs and jars; 

Pottery Pot and Urn National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

Pots and urns;

Pottery Jewelry Box Lid and Cups National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

And even a decorated jewelry box lid;

Handstone and Quern National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

A handstone and quern for grinding grains;

Stone Carving Celestial Marking National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

Stones with carvings of celestial markings 

Stone Carving Face National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

And faces;

Stone Carvings of Animals National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

Altars and stone blocks with reliefs of spirals, waves, and animals;

Fashion accessories, jewelry and ornaments, such as:

Figurines of birds,

Jewelry

And necklaces fashioned from shell and or stone;

Colossal Skirted Figure National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

A stele of limestone with Phoenician inscription;

Phoenician Coffin National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

A Phoenician terracotta coffin;

A number of statues (including several corpulent human figures) among which are:

Crude Female Figurine National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

Crude female figurines of clay and limestone discovered at the Skorba Temples,

Figure Face Down National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

A figure laying face down and

Sleeping Lady National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

The exquisitely detailed Sleeping Lady, both from the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum,

Venus of Malta National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

The voluptuous Venus of Malta from the Ħaġar Qim Temples,  

Seated Figure National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

A seated figure,

Colossal Skirted Figure National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

And a fragment of a colossal skirted figure. 

Coin Collection Malta

The museum also houses the National Numismatic Collection, which boasts an extensive collection of coins and medals (over 16,000 items), among which are some associated with the Order of Saint John and other more ancient coins dating back to the 5th century B.C.

Grand Salon National Museum of Archaeology Valletta Malta

While you’re here, be sure to pop in to the Grand Salon, former meeting and banquet hall of the Knights of Malta, for quick look at the elegant decor.

Getting there:

The National Museum of Archaeology is located on Republic Street in Valletta.  

Ticket info:

Adult Admission = 5.00€

Adult Admission (Ages 60 and Over) = 3.50€

Child Admission (Ages 12 – 17) = 3.50€

Child Admission (Ages 6 – 11) = 2.50€

Child Admission (Ages 1 – 5) = Free

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