Robert Newall's Primary Record of the Prehistoric Ship Graffiti at Hal Tarxien, Malta: new thoughts on their significance.

Recent research on now indistinct ship graffiti in the Third Temple at Hal Tarxien led to discovery of a full-size record made 50 years ago. Correspondence elucidates contemporary interpretation of the context. Colonization of the island from Sicily c.5000 BC probably involved large flotation devices similar to those identified on the lowest tier of graffiti. A Neolithic date for some of the images finds support with the identification of a raft supporting the cult statue located in the same part of the temple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]