The Anghelu Ruyu necropolis, located in the immediate hinterland of Alghero, is the largest and most important prehistoric necropolis in northern Sardinia. It dates back to a period between the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age (around 3200-1800 BC) and consists of 38 domus de janas (literally “witch houses” or “fairy houses”), underground chambers carved into the rock primarily used for burials, but also for holding funerary ceremonies. The tombs, excavated in calcareous sandstone, are spread over two different areas and have, as was typical in Sardinia, a very irregular distribution. They have a layout consisting of several rooms, except for one tomb with a single-chamber plan. Access to the tombs is either by vertical or oblique shaft type, or by descending dromos (corridor), almost always with steps at the entrance. The latter are mostly characterized by rooms with symmetrical and regular floor plans, while the shaft tombs often have irregular plans. The tombs have flat ceilings and well-smoothed walls rich in details. In the dromos tombs, many architectural or decorative elements depict the rites and cults of the pre-Nuragic populations, as well as aspects of their daily life. These include cup-shaped hollows dug into the ground intended to hold offerings and funerary meals, carved or incised decorations reproducing the interiors of the houses inhabited by the deceased, false doors of Eastern origin symbolizing the gateway to the underworld, sculpted bull heads and horns protecting the sleep of the dead. The tombs housed from a minimum of two to a maximum of thirty individuals and were sealed with large stone slabs. Several grave goods have been recovered here—mainly consisting of pottery, mother goddess figurines, weapons, and necklace elements—belonging to the various prehistoric cultures of the area, from the Ozieri culture to the Bonnanaro culture.
Information about Anghelu Ruyu Archaeological Area
07041 Alghero (Sassari)
329 4385947
silt.coop@tiscali.it
https://www.coopsilt.it
Source: MIBACT
