The temple itself was not touched during the attack.

Various writings were painted onto walls standing not far from prehistoric temple which dates back to circa 3600 - 3200 BC. Police told MaltaMedia that they are linking the vandal act to the current hot issue of spring hunting; however nobody has been detained in relation to the case as of yet.

Earlier this week Għadira Nature Reserve, in Mellieħa, was targeted by vandals on Tuesday night, with bottles containing spent engine oil being thrown over the fence into the reserve, polluting the soil, ditches and ponds.

BirdLife, responsible for the upkeep of the reserve, believes that at least 10 gallons were discarded into the reserve.

In 2001, the temple site of Mnajdra, which lies 500m away from Ħaġar Qim, was also targeted by vandals who dropped around 60 megaliths, breaking some of them in the process. The act was viewed by many as the worst criminal act ever inflicted on Maltese heritage.

In turn, on the morrow of 1996’s general election, vandals took to Mnajdra’s megaliths with black spray, leaving various writings behind. At the time hunting was also a hot issue, with the then Malta Labour Party government in discussion with hunters and trappers over their practices.