| Maltese prehistoric chronology (Based on recalibrated radiocarbon dating) | ||
| Period | Phase | Dates BC c. |
|---|---|---|
| Neolithic (5000–4100 BC) |
Għar Dalam | 5000–4500 BC |
| Grey Skorba | 4500–4400 BC | |
| Red Skorba | 4400–4100 BC | |
| Temple Period (4100–2500 BC) |
Żebbuġ | 4100–3800 BC |
| Mġarr | 3800–3600 BC | |
| Ġgantija | 3600–3000 BC | |
| Saflieni | 3300–3000 BC | |
| Tarxien | 3000–2500 BC | |
| Bronze Age (2500–700 BC) |
Tarxien Cemetery | 2500–1500 BC |
| Borġ in-Nadur | 1500–700 BC | |
| Baħrija | 900–700 BC | |
The Saflieni phase is one of the eleven phases of Maltese prehistory, the fourth of five in the middle or Temple period. It is named for the Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground temple complex now recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO,[1] which was built mainly in this period.
The Saflieni phase, from approximately 3300–3000 BC,[citation needed] is a brief transitional phase between the Ġgantija and Tarxien phases, the two main phases during which the principal Megalithic temples of Malta were built.[2]: 21 Saflieni-phase ceramics may provide a useful indication of separation between the two long phases.[3]: 45 They have been recovered a number of Megalithic sites, including: the top level of the remains at Santa Verna at Xagħra in Gozo; from the eastern part of the temple of Ta' Ħaġrat in Mġarr; and from the lower levels of the east temple at Skorba.[3]: 45–46