Necropolis of Mesu 'e Montes

Province of Sassari, Italy

The Necropolis of Mesu 'e Montes complex consists of 18 domus de Janas (type of pre-Nuragic chamber tombs in Sardinia). The site dates from the Neolithic to Middle Bronze Age. Of particular note, tombs I and II with 12 chambers each, decorated with a variety of features, a ceiling reproducing a gabled roof and a circular hearth sculpted into the floor; and tombs III, IV and XVI, all of architectural interest, with a curved stele in the centre of the exedra. 

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 3000 BCE
Category: Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in Italy

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Iside Guerriera (2 years ago)
No ticket needed. Astonishing place in the slopes of the mountain. Comfy shoes recommended.
Juri Deidda (2 years ago)
Extremely beautiful. Only the fantastic view pays off the visit! To be seen!
Ilaria Cardella (2 years ago)
The necropolis is located on the slopes of Mount Mamas in the Sassarese territory, excavated in a calcareous wall about 430 meters high and is composed of a total of 18 multi-cellular tombs that climb along the east-west axis dating back to the period between the final Neolithic and the Middle Bronze Age. The morphology of the rock wall divides them into two groups: the first 8 in the west axis and the last ten in the east axis. The first to investigate them was the archaeologist Ercole Contu in 1968, who through an initial inspection identified 7 and the following year another 10. livestock. Tombs I, II, V and XIII reproduce the structural peculiarities of the pre-Nuragic dwellings (ceilings, poles, architraves), as well as sacred symbols and signs linked to the funerary ritual. Tomb II was excavated in August 1985 and together with number I presents a T-shaped plan of 12 rooms, enlarged in three successive phases for new burials due to population growth. Tomb I is equipped with an access door with a tampered frame on the left side and inside the walls are decorated with architectural motifs and decorations of bull protomes. Tomb II is the richest in terms of decoration as it has bull protomes on the walls, lunate horns with elongated snout of the Bull God, V-shaped engravings in close series that form a zig zag in a horizontal row, wolf tooth engravings , paint marks in red ocher. On an architectural level, there are two pillars in the middle of the main cell that support the ceiling and which at their base have two pedestals, one round and the other rectangular. Between the two pillars stands out a magnificent hearth with three ovoid sketches arranged in a triangle in the center. Of the 18 tombs, the number III and number XVI also stand out because both have an architectural elevation where the entrance door takes up the arched stele of the Giants' Tombs already present on the island but with the difference of being instead carved in the rock. In tomb III there are 3 holes on the top where three small votive betyls were probably placed and the opening was tampered with and enlarged at a later date to make entry easier. In fact, the walls are completely blackened due to the practice of smoking the cheese in recent times. In tomb XVI, always with an architectural elevation, “saw-tooth” decorations are visible and always on the top of the holes for the betyls. Tomb V, on the other hand, is the only one in the whole necropolis with a lateral plan. Among all, the number XIII has remained almost intact because being 4 meters above the ground level, it has been inaccessible for all this time and has been able to be preserved over time. Number XVIII, the last, has been destroyed today. The site is easy to access from the SP 97: a roadside sign indicates the Domus and a narrow road that leads up to a paved open space with a large oak in the center that acts as guardian of the site.
Enrico Trevisan (2 years ago)
Luogo a dir poco suggestivo, immerso in una natura meravigliosa e con un immenso albero a fare da guardiano al sito. Entrata libera, parcheggio gratuito subito fuori dall'ingresso. Super consigliato!
angelo simula (2 years ago)
Definitely a place not to be missed. Surrounded by greenery with a spectacular view. Tomb n ° 3 is the one with the most signs and ornaments, including a floor decoration. Two internal pillars give a sense of how much importance, care and wisdom our ancestors had. I recommend bringing a flashlight.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.