OXEN: A number of depictions attributed to the Late Neolithic period have been found in the form of bas reliefs from Tarxien temples (dated by association with the pottery shards form in the locaility), a platter from the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, and a clay model from Ta' Hagrat. These depictions, together with the skeletal evidence excavated from various neolithic sites in Malta, suggest that this Bos sp. was characterised by a large hump on the back over the shoulder similar to that found in the various modern breeds of zebu (Bos indicus) which originated in Asia. In addition the Maltese Prehistoric Cattle breed appears to have been characterised by long horns.The combination of long bulky horns, a shoulder hump and a possible pendulous dewlap approximates the Neolithic Maltese Breed to the Ankole-Watusi Cattle which originated in Africa. The Maltese Neolithic Cow on the other hand was apparently smaller with short horns and lacked a definite shoulder hump.

A modern breed of humped cattle was existent in Malta until the late 1980s. It is presently represented by only three cow examples, and an active programme is being conducted by the Maltese Cattle Foundation to restore the herds by artificial selective interbreeding. The Modern Humped Maltese cattle breed is characterised by a relatively short horns and is of a large size measuring about 152-180 cm high at the withers. The Modern Maltese breed appears to be definitly different from the Prehistoric depictions by virtue of the differences in horn size, while statistical analysis of body ratios between the two breeds suggest that the Prehistoric form was leaner.

Since ox skeletal remains were found in Late Pliestocene deposits in Malta, it is suggested that the Neolithic Ox was not introduced to the Islands by Neolithic man, but may have been already present in a wild state and was subsequently domesticated. Examples of prehistoric cave art depicting possible bovids has attributed to a hunter-gatherer society and thus predating the Neolithic have been described from Malta.
 

GOAT: Reliefs on two slabs at Tarxien Temples dated to the Late Neolithic depict 26 images of goats with horns which curve backwards in an arc similar to those found in the Ibex [Capra ibex] or the Persian Wild Goat [Capra aegagrus]. The ibex is a widely distributed species with several different geographical races. The only places where the ibex is presently found in Europe are the Alps and the Iberian peninsula. The Persian Wild Goat presently inhabits various Mediterranean Islands besides various eastern lands. The present Persian Wild Goat is genetically similar with the present domestic goat and interbreeding can occur.

The Neolithic skeletal remains from Xemxija were not identified separately from those of sheep. At Skorba, five goat skull remains from the North Room suggested relatively bulky horns. The Maltese breed of goat is the hardiest, tamest and best milking goats known. The Maltese goat bears a striking resemblance to the Theban or Egyptian goat from which it probably originated. It is generally beardless and frequently hornless, has spreading and slightly pendulous ears, though shorter and narrower, has a convex profile, has very often a pair of lappets on the throat, and is often of a reddish colour, with long hair and very large udders.

PIG: The pig relief from Tarxien Late Neolithic Temples shows a definite barrel shaped body with a head terminating in a snout, and carrying a short tail. There is no evidence for the presence of tusks. Boar tusks were however excavated from the Neolithic Temples at Mnajdra and Borg In-Nadur. They were also excavated from the Bronze Age site at Tarxien Cremation Cemetery. The Neolithic depiction appears to be different from the present day Eurasian Wild Boar [Sus scrofa] which lives in Europe [Hanzac, 1976], and resembles more closely the present day domestic pig [Sus domesticus]. The scanty skeletal remains from Xemxija suggest that the neolithic pig was not a large species. The Neolithic Maltese hog was possibly a domesticated form of the Wild Boar. Hogs are probably descended from two wild swine, one species from Europe - the Eurasian Wild and the other species from Southeast Asia.

SHEEP: A relief on a slab at Tarxien Temples dated to the Late Neolithic Period depicts an image of a ram. The depicted ram appears to have robust spiral-curved erected horns with three tufts of hair between them, and appears to resemble wild-horned sheep, particularly the Mouflon [Ovis musimon]. An approximately similar depiction of a ram was found in the form of a utensil handle at Mgarr Temple. Another model from Tarxien Temples interpreted as depicting a sheep does not carry horns. The Moufflon is found on Sardinia and Corsica, thought to be one of the two ancestors for all modern sheep breeds. The horns of an adult ram measure 70-80 c, while the ewe has either short horns or none at all.

Skeletal remains from Xemxija were attribured to an animal approximating the modern Mediterranean sheep. The present breed of Maltese sheep are not remarkable for the fineness of their fleece, but are more generally reared as milking animals.

HORSE: Skeletal remains of a species of horse have been excavated from Neolithic sites such as Hagar Qim, Xemxija Tombs, and Qortin l'Mdawwar. The few adult bones found at Xemxija compare well in size with those of the Dartmoor pony. No art depictions have been identified. Remains of a species of small horse or donkey [Equus sp ?asinus] has been excavated from Maltese Pliestocene deposits.

DOG: Skeletal remains have been described from Pergla Cave, Xewkija Temple, Skorba, Xemxija, and the North Cave at Ggantija. Dog remains from Xemxija belong to a breed of the same size as a small terrier. A possible depiction of a dog has been identified from Tarxien Temples by T. Zammit. This was a small stone clumsily modelled figure (37 x 15mm) of a very lean beast with a prominent vertebral column positioned in the crouching position. J.D. Evans interprets the aminal to be a lizard.

CAT: Skeletal remains were described from the Santa Verna Temple and Xemxija Rock tombs. At Xemxija the bone remains were apparently commoner than dog remains. The size of the bones were generally smaller than those belonging to the modern domestic cat. One bone specimen approximated that of the cat from Sutton Walls and may have represented a wild specimen. The bones from Santa Verna were described as belonging to a large cat. No art depictions have been identified.

References:
1. J.D. Evans. The Prehistoric Antiquities of the Maltese Islands. Athlone Press, London, 1971.
2. C. Savona-Ventura and A. Mifsud: Origins of the Maltese Ox. The Times [of Malta], 6 February 1998, p.41