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Relief Depicting Procession of Animals
Globigerina Limestone. H. 34, L. 110.0, D. 22.0 cm
Tarxien South Temple (Malta), Temple Period, 3600–2500 bce
Heritage Malta–National Museum of Archaeology: 14401
Courtesy of Heritage Malta, photography © Daniel Cilia

This relief depicts four horned goats, a pig, and a ram, all moving from left to right. The right-hand portion of the block is lost, but additional animals were likely represented. It was found at the back of the first apse on the left at the Tarxien South Temple, and formed a pair with another block depicting twenty-two horned goats in two rows, all facing to the left. The animals on the different blocks would have faced each other and toward the center of the apse. The animals represented on reliefs are usually domesticated examples and are generally depicted in groups, perhaps representing herds and a certain level of wealth, or a selection of animals being led to sacrifice.