1996 - MALTESE PREHISTORIC ART
           5000 - 2500 BC'

As Patrimonju's fifth event, this exhibition provided a unique glimpse into one of the most important cultural phenomena of any Mediterranean civilisation - the mystery of the artistic achievement of a small island community up to seven thousand years ago.

The communities which created this art also built an extremely advanced form of architecture now described as 'the earliest free-standing monuments of stones in the world'. These megalithic temples acted as repositories for some of the finest art produced in the Mediterranean.

The artefacts, dating from the Neolithic era in the archipelago, illustrate the earliest sign of Maltese identity and represent priceless, cultural treasures of worldwide interest. The exhibition included numerous artefacts which had not previously been displayed since their discovery in the 1987 excavations in Gozo. The entire collection of artefacts was subsequently exhibited in Florence, where it drew considerable attention.

A full colour illustrated limp bound catalogue raisonne entitled 'Maltese Prehistoric Art 5000 - 2500 BC' was published to complement the exhibition.