Tarxien, town, eastern Malta, just southeast of Valletta and adjacent to Paola to the northwest. Tarxien (or Hal Tarxien; pronounced “Tar-shin”) is famous for its remarkably well-preserved complex of three Neolithic temples of different date but similar plan. The ruins were discovered by farmers in 1913 and excavated by Sir Themistocles Zammit in 1914–19. The modern town is a residential suburb of Valletta. Pop. (2007 est.) 7,615.