Unveiling Malta’s Ancient Colours: ARTE’s Latest Documentary

Ever wondered what the ancient temples of Malta looked like when they were first built? Were they as stark and grey as they appear today, or did they once burst with vibrant colours? ARTE, the European cultural TV channel, has delved into this very question in their latest documentary, ‘The colour of antiquity’.

Malta’s Ancient Secrets Revealed

Malta, a small island nation in the Mediterranean, is home to some of the world’s oldest freestanding structures. The Ġgantija Temples, located in the rural village of Xagħra on the island of Gozo, are among the most famous. These Neolithic temples, dating back to around 3600 BC, have long captivated archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike. But what did they look like in their heyday?

ARTE’s documentary, produced in collaboration with the University of Malta and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, seeks to answer this very question. Using cutting-edge technology and meticulous research, the film brings these ancient sites back to life, quite literally painting them in their original colours.

From Grey to Gold: The Technological Journey

The process of colouring these ancient sites involved a combination of archaeology, art history, and digital technology. Researchers analysed the temple’s stones, searching for traces of colour pigments. They also studied ancient art and architecture from similar periods to understand the colour trends of the time.

Once the colours were identified, a team of digital artists and archaeologists worked together to create a virtual reality model of the Ġgantija Temples. This model was then ‘painted’ with the identified colours, bringing the ancient site back to life in a way never seen before.

What We’ve Learned: A New Perspective on Malta’s Past

The results of this project are astonishing. The Ġgantija Temples, as they appear in the documentary, are a far cry from the grey monoliths we know today. They are vibrant, colourful, and alive, offering a new perspective on Malta’s ancient past.

Dr. Timmy Gambin, the lead researcher on the project, explains, “We’ve always known that these temples were built with a deep understanding of architecture and astronomy. But seeing them in their original colours adds a whole new dimension to our understanding of Malta’s ancient culture.”

This documentary is not just a fascinating look into Malta’s past; it’s also a testament to the power of collaboration between different fields of study. It shows what can be achieved when archaeologists, artists, and technologists work together to shed new light on our shared history.

You can catch ‘The colour of antiquity’ on ARTE, or stream it online. For more information about the Ġgantija Temples and other ancient sites in Malta, visit the Heritage Malta website.