Among their other possible uses, the temples of Mnajdra fulfilled astronomical observation and calendrical functions. The main entrance faces east, and during the spring and autumn equinoxes the first rays of light fall on a stone slab on the rear wall of the second chamber. During the winter and summer solstices, the first rays of the sun illuminate the corners of two stone pillars in the passage way connecting the main chambers. Similar to the Mnajdra temple, Hagar Qim has also been shown to have solsticial alignments. Thus far, very little serious research has been conducted on the celestial alignments of the Maltese temples.
Further studies are likely to reveal a host of other astronomical orientations.
In addition to their celestial alignments the Maltese temples also reveal surprising evidences of mathematical and engineering sophistication. This mathematical constant, found at megalithic sites throughout the ancient European world, was first brought to scientific attention through the studies of Oxford Professor, Alexander Thom. In Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, examples of the Megalithic Yard are found in the measurements of the portal stones and in triangles etched on the temple floors. These findings are mostly ignored by conventional archaeologists because Maltese temple architecture is commonly assumed to have developed previous to and independent of any outside influence. The almost complete absence of imported pottery further strengthens the argument.