In Sardinia, three new Domus de Janas have been discovered within the archaeological complex of Sant’Andrea Priu, in the Bonorva area. The discovery is part of the activities of the project promoted by the Ministry of Culture, aimed at excavations, restorations and the archaeological enhancement of the Meilogu area.
With the addition of these three new tombs, the total number of hypogea known so far rises to twenty, further enriching the site, part of the serial site just recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Excavations have focused on the plateau that extends near the rock known as the “Bell Tower” or “Bull,” which dominates the surrounding valley.
The area between Tomb XII and Tomb XIII, also known as the Tomb of the Hearth, showed signs compatible with the possible presence of another tomb. In fact, archaeological research uncovered three new tombs (Tombs XVIII, XIX and XX), arranged in a fan shape right from the Tomb of the Hearth.
Tomb XVIII, the first to emerge during the excavation, features a dromos (corridor). Finds include pickaxes, a greenstone axe, a spindle and obsidian fragments. The structure consists of a central quadrangular cell, with a hearth carved in relief, and from there there is access to a rectangular main cell, flanked on the left by an additional smaller chamber. The smaller Tomb XIX features a small pavilion on the outside, while the interior is divided into a rectangular cell and a second smaller, roundish cell. Among the recovered finds are ceramic fragments and a miniature jar. The most complex is Tomb XX, which has an entrance cell from which two side corridors branch off, making a total of seven cells. In one of these a painted decorative band is still visible. The rich grave goods, consisting of more than 30 ceramic artifacts from the Imperial Roman period, earned it the name “Tomb of the Roman Vases.”
The discovered finds will be entrusted to the Soprintendenza’s Restoration and Conservation Center at Li Punti for restoration and study.
Investigations will continue in the lower area of the site, where traces of a Roman and early medieval settlement have already emerged. The new tombs, meanwhile, will be immediately accessible to the public. This intervention is part of a larger excavation, restoration and enhancement project that also involves the sites of Nuraghe Oes and Nuraghe Santu Antine, with a total investment of about 2 million euros allocated by the Ministry of Culture.
The project is overseen by the Regional Secretariat of the Ministry of Culture for Sardinia, in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the provinces of Sassari and Nuoro.
Photo by Patrizia Luciana Tomassetti and Nadia Canu
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| Sardinia, three new Domus de Janas discovered in the archaeological complex of Sant'Andrea Priu |
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