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The most spectacular monument in Malta is
the enormous, labyrinthine underground sanctuary known as the Hypogeum. This
more than 6,000 square meter, three level monolith may have been the ceremonial
center of the island long ago.
This catacomb-like structure seems to have been at once temple, tomb and healing
center. The main hall leads into the oracle room where two identical small
sculptures of a woman were found lying on the floor where they were probably
left when the shrine was abandoned.
The dreamer is lying on her side on a low couch, one enormous right forearm
underneath her head, the other draped across her heavy breast. She is
ample-hipped and topless.
Dressed in a full length, bell-shaped skirt she clearly appears to be asleep,
almost visibly dreaming. The figures were probably part of a ceremony of dream
incubation. |
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