Vandals attack heritage site

VALLETTA, Malta -- Vandals have attacked a world heritage site in Malta, toppling huge stones which have stood for more than 5,000 years.

Maltese Archaeological Museum officials said on Saturday that the Mnajdra temples near the southwest coast of the Mediterranean island had been devastated.

"This was the worst act of vandalism ever committed against Malta's historical heritage," a distraught official said.

Thew attack comes a month after Afghanistan's ruling Taleban destroyed of the age-old Buddhas at Bamiyan.

Mnajdra is recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Parts of the complex resemble Britain's Stonehenge, but the site is more than 1,000 years older.

The official said about 60 stones had been dislodged or toppled, some breaking into pieces with the impact.

The scale and astronomical alignment of the Mnajdra site has long fascinated archaeologists.

He added that runic symbols scratched on some stones suggested the vandalism might have been connected to a Satanic ritual.

The UNESCO website says: "On the island of Malta, the temples of Hagar Qin, Mnajdra and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces, given the very limited resources of their builders.

"The Ta'Hagrat and Skorba complexes bear witness to the development of the temple tradition in Malta."

The vandals are believed to have cut a hole in a boundary fence and entered the site late on Good Friday evening, when there was a full moon.

An investigation has been launched.

Reuters contributed to this report.

UNESCO confirms destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas
March 12, 2001
U.N. chief to take up Afghan statues with Taleban
March 10, 2001
Welsh mining town named world treasure
November 30, 2000

Mnajdra Prehistoric Temples
Government of Malta
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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