Saflieni phase

The Saflieni phase (3000-2500 BCE) of Malta's prehistory was named after the Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni. The hypogeum and part of the Ta' Ħaġrat temple complex both date from this period.

This phase evolved from the Ġgantija phase (3600–3200 BCE), and led to the Tarxien phase (3150-2500 BCE).

Ħal Saflieni overview
The Hypogeum in Paola, Malta, is a subterranean structure thought to have originally been a sanctuary. It became a necropolis in prehistoric times. It is the only prehistoric underground temple in the world and was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.

Amongst various features of importance, a petrosomatoglyph of a human hand and an iconic statuette called the Sleeping Lady have been discovered in the hypogeum.