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Many of the stones inside the
temples were decorated with mysterious designs. Spirals were
carved again and again in different sizes and forms. They often
look like the coil of a snail shell or tendrils of a vine. These
decorations probably had something to do with the religion of the
people, representing concepts and ideas that were important to them.
Animal and plant motifs are both realistic and playfully abstract.
The unique qualities of the softer
variety of Maltese limestone made it possible to do very fine expressive
work without the use of any metal tools. It is easily carved when
freshly quarried, then hardens in the air.
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