In his report on the ‘Structure of the Prehistoric Megalithic Temples of Malta’, architect Dr. Alex Torpiano explains what building techniques must have been used for the construction of the temples. He concludes  that the central areas of the temples were erected first. These were strongly constructed to withstand the horizontal pressure coming from the apses. Thus the vertical megaliths forming the sides of the trilithon doorway were embedded in appropriate holes in the solid thresholds, so as to form a box. Similarly, the blocks at the main passage are arranged so as to give each other stability.

 It is striking that this report based on principles of construction engineering points to the same conclusion as the above-mentioned observations of the possible relation between sun and temple plan. Both indicate that the main doorway and the central areas of the temple were the first to be erected. But the basic question is, from which point did our temple builders start?

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