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state this as Zeitlmair's belief, not as though it is fact
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{{short description|Alleged megalithic temple in Malta}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} |
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{{Infobox ancient site |
{{Infobox ancient site |
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| name = Ġebel ġol-Baħar |
| name = Ġebel ġol-Baħar |
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| map_caption = |
| map_caption = |
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| map_size = |
| map_size = |
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| relief = |
| relief = yes |
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| coordinates = {{coord|35|55|57.2|N|14|29|44.3|E|display=inline,title}} |
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| latd = 35 | latm = 55 | lats = 57.2 | latNS = N |
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| longd = 14 | longm = 29 | longs = 44.3 | longEW = E |
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| map_dot_label = |
| map_dot_label = |
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| coordinates_display = inline, title |
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| location = off [[St. Julian's]], [[Malta]] |
| location = off [[St. Julian's]], [[Malta]] |
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| region = |
| region = |
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| type = |
| type = |
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| part_of = [[Megalithic Temples of Malta]] |
| part_of = [[Megalithic Temples of Malta]] (allegedly) |
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| length = |
| length = |
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| width = |
| width = |
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| diameter = |
| diameter = |
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| circumference = |
| circumference = |
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| height = |
| height = {{convert|6|–|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} |
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| builder = |
| builder = |
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| material = [[Limestone]] |
| material = [[Limestone]] |
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}} |
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'''Ġebel ġol-Baħar''' is |
'''Ġebel ġol-Baħar''' is an alleged [[Megalithic Temples of Malta|megalithic temple]] located underwater off the coast of [[St. Julian's, Malta|St. Julian's]], [[Malta]]. The site was identified in 1999 by retired real estate investor Hubert Zeitlmair,<ref name=Rose>{{cite web|last1=Rose|first1=Mark|title=The Truth, And Some Other Stuff, Is Out There|url=http://archive.archaeology.org/online/news/aliens.html|website=Archaeology.org|publisher=Archaeological Institute of America|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106105840/http://archive.archaeology.org/online/news/aliens.html|archivedate=6 January 2013}}</ref> a follower of [[Zecharia Sitchin]], but it was never studied properly and archaeologists are not convinced that the site is a temple. |
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==Site== |
==Site== |
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The site is located on an underwater plateau approximately |
The site is located on an [[Oceanic plateau|underwater plateau]] approximately 2 km off the coast of [[St. Julian's, Malta|St. Julian's]]. The plateau is 900 by 500 metres long, and its highest point seems to be man-made, and is 19 metres below sea level. |
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The site contains large boulders which Zeitlmair |
The site contains large boulders which Zeitlmair believes to be man-made and not natural, and which are covered in vegetation. Zeitlmair describes it as consisting of a cluster of three [[stone circle]]s with 'rooms' with a diameter of 9 to 11 metres, with parts having a height up to 6 to 10 metres. An 'avenue' goes up to the entrance of the structure, which faces east. [[Misraħ Għar il-Kbir|Tracks on the seabed resembling cart ruts]] were also observed on the site.<ref name=micallef2006/> |
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There are several other underwater archaeological sites in Malta. Underwater cart ruts can be seen near the shore of St. George's Bay in [[Birżebbuġa]], close to the megalithic temple of [[Borġ in-Nadur]]. According to 16th and early 17th century sources, another megalithic structure existed in the [[Grand Harbour]], near the foot of [[Fort Saint Angelo]].<ref name=philipcoppens>{{cite web|last1=Coppens|first1=Philip|title=Malta: the small island of the giants|url=http://www.philipcoppens.com/malta.html|website=philipcoppens.com|accessdate=27 April 2015}}</ref> |
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==Discovery== |
==Discovery== |
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The site was discovered on 13 July 1999 by Shaun Arrigo and his brother Kurt, who were working under the instructions of Hubert Zeitlmair, a retired German real estate investor interested in [[pseudoarchaeology]]. |
The site was discovered on 13 July 1999 by Shaun Arrigo and his brother Kurt, who were working under the instructions of Hubert Zeitlmair, a retired German real estate investor interested in [[pseudoarchaeology]]. The discovery was reportedinthe local media in October 1999, but after some time interest died down.<ref name=micallef2006>{{cite web|last1=Micallef|first1=Etienne|title=16th May 2006 - The Cornerstone of Atlantis Seminar|url=http://www.csacmalta.org/uploads/media/OrAcLe_No_18.pdf|website=The Oracle|publisher=Calypso Sub Aqua Club|accessdate=27 April 2015|pages=20–21|date=2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129004328/http://www.csacmalta.org/uploads/media/OrAcLe_No_18.pdf|archivedate=29 January 2016}}</ref> Further explorations of the site were conducted by Zeitlmair in November 1999 and May 2000.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zeitlmair|first1=Hubert|last2=Zeitlmair|first2=Dagmar|title=Report of marine exploration at the underwater temple site of Ĝebel Ĝol-BaharinMay / June 2000|url=http://www.maltadiscovery.org/en/index.html#uwr_02,07_Under_water_research/02.htm|website=maltadiscovery.org|accessdate=27 April 2015}}</ref> |
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According to Zeitlmair, the site bears similarities to the temple of [[Ħaġar Qim]] on mainland Malta.{{cn|date=August 2015}}> The site was given the name ''Ġebel ġol-Baħar'', meaning "Stones in the Sea" in the [[Maltese language]]. |
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The discovery was reported in the local media in October 1999, but after some time interest died down.<ref name=micallef2006>{{cite web|last1=Micallef|first1=Etienne|title=16th May 2006 - The Cornerstone of Atlantis Seminar|url=http://www.csacmalta.org/uploads/media/OrAcLe_No_18.pdf|website=The Oracle|publisher=Calypso Sub Aqua Club|accessdate=27 April 2015|pages=20-21|date=2006}}</ref> |
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Zeitlmair believes that the temple was built by aliens in around 10,000 BC to 12,000 BC, and was submerged at the end of the [[Last Glacial Period|Ice Age]] during the [[Genesis flood narrative]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=O'Connell|first1=Tony|title=Hubert Zeitlmair|url=http://atlantipedia.ie/samples/tag/hubert-zeitlmair/|website=Atlantipedia|accessdate=27 April 2015}}</ref> He states that he has been guided by his "primeval ancestors, namely... the God Pa.tha-i-da.na Asu.ara tSi.dha, and the Goddess Ashtar-tara Queen of [[Atlantis]]" who he met on Malta.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zeitlmair|first1=Hubert|title=Home|url=http://maltadiscovery.org/en/index.html#home,00_Home/01.htm|website=maltadiscovery.org|accessdate=1 August 2015}}</ref> His views do not fit within Malta's prehistoric chronology, as the earliest known human habitation of the island began in around 5900 BC.<ref name="times2018-03-16">{{cite news|title=700 years added to Malta's history|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180316/life-features/700-years-added-to-maltas-history.673498|work=[[Times of Malta]]|date=16 March 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316111529/https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180316/life-features/700-years-added-to-maltas-history.673498|archivedate=16 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Further explorations of the site were conducted by Zeitlmair in November 1999 and May 2000.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zeitlmair|first1=Hubert|last2=Zeitlmair|first2=Dagmar|title=Report of marine exploration at the underwater temple site of Ĝebel Ĝol-Bahar in May / June 2000|url=http://www.maltadiscovery.org/en/index.html#uwr_02,07_Under_water_research/02.htm|website=maltadiscovery.org|accessdate=27 April 2015}}</ref> |
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The site has also been linked with the island of |
The site was given the name ''Ġebel ġol-Baħar'', meaning "Stones in the Sea" in the [[Maltese language]]. It has also been linked with the island of Atlantis,<ref>{{cite web|title=Underwater Temples & Atlantis|url=http://www.carnaval.com/malta/atlantis/|website=carnaval.com|accessdate=27 April 2015}}</ref> and Zeitlmair has published a book about this in German.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Zeitlmair|first1=Hubert|title=Die Säulen von Atlantis - Malta|date=2001|publisher=Ancient-Mail-Verlag|isbn=9783935910002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5N0SAwAACAAJ&q=Die+S%C3%A4ulen+von+Atlantis+-+Malta|language=de}}</ref> |
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==Analysis== |
==Analysis== |
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Maltese archaeologists are not convinced that the site is a megalithic temple.<ref name=philipcoppens/> Other people who dived there |
Maltese archaeologists are not convinced that the site is a megalithic temple.<ref name=philipcoppens>{{cite web|last1=Coppens|first1=Philip|title=Malta: the small island of the giants|url=http://www.philipcoppens.com/malta.html|website=philipcoppens.com|accessdate=27 April 2015}}</ref> Other people who have dived there say that the boulders which make up the site are not megalithic, but modern ones which were dumped illegally.<ref name=micallef2006/> |
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Mark Rose of the [[Archaeological Institute of America]] has written that "Chronology appears to be somewhat confused in Zeitlmair's interpretation. According to the web site, he sees links between the submerged "temple" and both Noah's Flood and the rise in sea level following the end of the Ice Age (the period to which, he told Maltamag, he hopes studies will show the Maltese temples date). Furthermore, the presence of deeper sand deposits on the west side of the "ruins," the side toward [[Gibraltar]], than on the east side is taken as an indication that the flooding of the Mediterranean by Atlantic waters (which really did occur) was involved in the inundation of the "temple." The Mediterranean flooding, however, took place some five million years ago. As to the builders of the temples, Zeitlmair defers to Zechariah Sitchin."<ref name=Rose/> |
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In 2013, marine scientists at the [[University of Malta]] discovered that 20,000 years ago, the Maltese islands were indeed much larger, and were connected to [[Sicily]] with a [[land bridge]]. However, there was no mention of Ġebel ġol-Baħar during the studies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Malta 20,000 Years Ago|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/news_on_campus/features/2013/university_of_malta_led_study_finds_maltas_hidden_landscape|website=University of Malta|accessdate=27 April 2015|date=2013}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gebel gol-Bahar}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gebel gol-Bahar}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Megalithic Temples of Malta]] |
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[[Category:Underwater ruins]] |
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[[Category:St. Julian's, Malta]] |
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[[Category:Pseudoarchaeology]] |
[[Category:Pseudoarchaeology]] |
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[[Category:1999 archaeological discoveries]] |
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  Shown within Malta | |
| Location | off St. Julian's, Malta |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°55′57.2″N 14°29′44.3″E / 35.932556°N 14.495639°E / 35.932556; 14.495639 |
| Part of | Megalithic Temples of Malta (allegedly) |
| Height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| History | |
| Material | Limestone |
Ġebel ġol-Baħar is an alleged megalithic temple located underwater off the coast of St. Julian's, Malta. The site was identified in 1999 by retired real estate investor Hubert Zeitlmair,[1] a follower of Zecharia Sitchin, but it was never studied properly and archaeologists are not convinced that the site is a temple.
The site is located on an underwater plateau approximately 2 km off the coast of St. Julian's. The plateau is 900 by 500 metres long, and its highest point seems to be man-made, and is 19 metres below sea level.
The site contains large boulders which Zeitlmair believes to be man-made and not natural, and which are covered in vegetation. Zeitlmair describes it as consisting of a cluster of three stone circles with 'rooms' with a diameter of 9 to 11 metres, with parts having a height up to 6 to 10 metres. An 'avenue' goes up to the entrance of the structure, which faces east. Tracks on the seabed resembling cart ruts were also observed on the site.[2]
The site was discovered on 13 July 1999 by Shaun Arrigo and his brother Kurt, who were working under the instructions of Hubert Zeitlmair, a retired German real estate investor interested in pseudoarchaeology. The discovery was reported in the local media in October 1999, but after some time interest died down.[2] Further explorations of the site were conducted by Zeitlmair in November 1999 and May 2000.[3]
Zeitlmair believes that the temple was built by aliens in around 10,000 BC to 12,000 BC, and was submerged at the end of the Ice Age during the Genesis flood narrative.[4] He states that he has been guided by his "primeval ancestors, namely... the God Pa.tha-i-da.na Asu.ara tSi.dha, and the Goddess Ashtar-tara Queen of Atlantis" who he met on Malta.[5] His views do not fit within Malta's prehistoric chronology, as the earliest known human habitation of the island began in around 5900 BC.[6]
The site was given the name Ġebel ġol-Baħar, meaning "Stones in the Sea" in the Maltese language. It has also been linked with the island of Atlantis,[7] and Zeitlmair has published a book about this in German.[8]
Maltese archaeologists are not convinced that the site is a megalithic temple.[9] Other people who have dived there say that the boulders which make up the site are not megalithic, but modern ones which were dumped illegally.[2]
Mark Rose of the Archaeological Institute of America has written that "Chronology appears to be somewhat confused in Zeitlmair's interpretation. According to the web site, he sees links between the submerged "temple" and both Noah's Flood and the rise in sea level following the end of the Ice Age (the period to which, he told Maltamag, he hopes studies will show the Maltese temples date). Furthermore, the presence of deeper sand deposits on the west side of the "ruins," the side toward Gibraltar, than on the east side is taken as an indication that the flooding of the Mediterranean by Atlantic waters (which really did occur) was involved in the inundation of the "temple." The Mediterranean flooding, however, took place some five million years ago. As to the builders of the temples, Zeitlmair defers to Zechariah Sitchin."[1]
