La necropolis of Anghelu Ruyu, 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 the Early Bronze Age (approximately 3200-1800 BC) and consists of 38 domus de janas (literally “witches’ houses” or “fairies’ houses”), chambers carved into the rock used mainly for burials, but also for celebrating funeral ceremonies. The tombs, carved into limestone sandstone, are located in two different areas and have, as was typical in Sardinia, a very irregular distribution. They feature a layout articulated into several rooms, except for one tomb with a single-cell plan. Access to the tombs is either by shaft, vertical and oblique, or by descending dromos (corridor), almost always with steps at the entrance. The latter are predominantly 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 those with dromos, many architectural or decorative elements recount rituals and cults of the prenuragic populations, as well as aspects of their daily life. Among these, cup marks carved into the ground intended to hold offerings and funeral meals, carved or incised decorations reproducing the environments of the houses inhabited by the deceased, false doors of eastern origin symbolizing the door to the afterlife, sculpted bovine heads and horns, to protect the sleep of the departed. The tombs housed a minimum of two to a maximum of thirty individuals and were sealed with large stone slabs. Several grave goods have been recovered here—mostly consisting of vessels, mother goddess figurines, weapons, necklace elements—belonging to the various prehistoric cultures of the area, from the Ozieri culture to that of Bonnanaro.
Information about Anghelu Ruyu Archaeological Area
07041 Alghero (Sassari)
329 4385947
silt.coop@tiscali.it
https://www.coopsilt.it
Source: MIBACT
