Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju in the context of Antonio Taramelli

⭐ Core Definition: Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju

The necropolis of Anghelu Ruju is a pre-Nuragic archaeological site located north of the city of Alghero, Province of Sassari, Sardinia. It is the largest necropolis of pre-Nuragic Sardinia.

The necropolis was discovered accidentally in 1903 during the excavations for the construction of a farmhouse, in the winery of Sella&Mosca. A human skull and a tripod vessel were found on that occasion. Following these findings, the archaeologist Antonio Taramelli carried out, the following year, the first excavations of the site discovering ten domus de janas. Later 21 others came to light and further research works led to 38 domus discovered.

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Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju in the context of Domus de Janas

Domus de Janas (Sardinian for 'House of the Fairies' or, alternatively, 'House of Witches') are a type of pre-Nuragic rock-cut chamber tomb found in Sardinia. They consist of several chambers quarried out by the people of the San Ciriaco through Ozieri cultures and subsequent cultures, resembling houses in their layout.

Built mostly between 3400 and 2700 BC, they date to the late Neolithic, Chalcolithic and early Bronze Age, including the Bell Beaker period. A necropolis of them at the site of Anghelu Ruju, near Alghero, consists of 38 tombs. Other large sites are those of Montessu, near Villaperuccio, and of Sant'Andrea Priu at Bonorva. Many other domus de janas can be found throughout the island, with the exception of Gallura (where the deceased were usually buried in megalithic circles, such as that those of Li Muri).

View the full Wikipedia page for Domus de Janas

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