Montalè necropolis

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Tomba V

The necropolis of Montalè is an archaeological site in the district of Li Punti on the outskirts of Sassari in the province of Sassari in Sardinia . Compared to other necropolises on the island ( Mesu 'e Montes , Montessu , Moseddu , Puttu Codinu , Sant' Andria Priu , Santu Pedru or Sos Furrighesos ) it shows a different appearance. These are not chambers cut horizontally into the rock fall, but chambers that, like Anghelu Ruju, can be reached via shafts, stairs or dromoi .

The necropolis , discovered by chance in the early 1980s, was the subject of complex archaeological investigations by archaeologists Paola Basoli and Alba Foschi Nieddu in 1983 and 2001. Based on the architectural and decorative appearance, it was possible to place the facility in the end Neolithic horizon of the Ozieri culture (3500-2900 BC). A subsequent use is documented by the discovery of fragments of pottery from the Monte Claro culture in the Copper Age (2500 BC).

description

The necropolis consists of Domus de Janas , which have been preserved in a limestone layer. The proximity of a Tuff - quarry has a former greater extension. Of the six domus, three were significantly changed in historical times. Only graves V and VI have retained their original structure.

Tomba V

Tomba V is particularly known for the presence of architectural and figurative decorations carved into the rock in bas-relief. They consist of elongated rectangular bull heads with large crescent-shaped horns and a bull horn boat above the entrance to a side niche. For this reason, grave V is called "Tomba delle protomi taurin". Access to the domus is via a shaft that leads to an antechamber without the original ceiling. The rectangular main chamber with a central column measures 3.4 × 3.0 × 1.25 m. Arranged radially around the main chamber are seven secondary chambers or cells which are accessible through three doors decorated with cornices, pilaster strips and false support beams in front of and behind both sides of the entrance. The type of bull sculptures in this Domus de Janas corresponds to that of the necropolises in Ossi and Calancoi .

  • Montalè necropolis
  • Sassari - Necropoli di Montalè (07) .jpg
  • Sassari - Necropoli di Montalè (12) .jpg
  • Sassari - Necropoli di Montalè (14) .jpg

Tomba VI

In contrast to Tomba V, Tomba VI has planimetric "longitudinal proportions". Access is via an approximately horizontal corridor (dromos) with a length of approximately 7.0 meters. Tomba VI has a main chamber with a central column that supports the ceiling and three side cells arranged in a "T-shape", one of which was partially destroyed by the quarry. In this hypogeum there are no figurative decorations, only ornamental door frames.

See also

literature

  • Giovanni Maria Demartis: Domus de Janas in Nurra , Piedimonte Matese, Imago Media, 2001, p. 51

Coordinates: 40 ° 44 ′ 53.8 "  N , 8 ° 30 ′ 40.3"  E