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Giant statues, caves, and sacred wells to the megalithic structures. We can safely say that little to no other island in the world holds as many archaeological wonders and mysteries as Sardinia. Rich in mountains, woods, plains, minerals and largely uninhabited territories. There are streams, rocky coasts, and long sandy beaches.
The island has been metaphorically defined as a unique micro-continent due to the variety of its ecosystems and history. Much of it getting started and built upon during the neolithic era.

Based on anatomical bone studies, footprints and other artifacts from the Nùrighe caves of Cheremule. It is estimated Sardinia was first colonized about 250,000 years ago, in the lower paleolithic. Since this time it is estimated sea levels had risen more than 130 meters (almost 430 feet).

During this last ice age, it was a lot different. Sardinia and Corsica formed a single large island. They were separated from Tuscany only by a narrow arm of sea. The oldest remains of homosapiens date back to the upper paleolithic. Their tracks have been found in the central part of Sardinia in the “Corbeddu cave” of Oliena.

Human remains have also been found at the “Su Coloru cave” of Laerru, in northern Sardinia. The material and culture here, suggest people came from the Italian peninsula after a difficult navigation with rudimentary boats.

In 2011, the oldest complete human skeleton (renamed “Amsicora”) was found. In the territory of Arbus, it dates back to about 7,000 BC. Further verifying the dates, and transforming into time. All the way to mesolithic and neolithic periods.

From the middle of the sixth millennium BC, neolithic groups in Italy began a wider exploitation of local resources. They developed the domestication of wild species, such as cattle and pigs. With a “mixed” economy between agriculture (attested by the presence of mills, grinders and sickles) and livestock. In predominantly permanent settlements. However hunting, fishing and shellfishing were still important activities.

There are many regional variations of the two main strands of impressed (cardial); and linear (lbk) pottery. In southern Italy the impressed pottery neolithic culture spread, between the second half of the sixth millennium BC and the beginning of the fifth. Especially in the Tavoliere delle Puglie, Irpinia and Basilicata regions. It spread to the north and through the interior up the Tyrrhenian coast. In Sicily also, there was more continuity with local communities and pottery.

The island of Lipari was colonized by people coming from Sicily too
Its island had large deposits of obsidian.

What are the Giants of Sardinia stone pillars?
Representation is uncertain, with hypotheses ranging from warriors, to boxers, to ancient gods.
At the same site, in the structure known as tomb nr.25, archaeologists also found an Egyptian scarab, which for some scholars precisely represents a Hyksos type scaraboid.

Sardinia sacred wells
Sacred wells are another typical architectural feature of prehistoric Sardinia.
While some of them merely served as wells with no other features. Some are advanced and have incredible astronomical alignments.

Neolithic
The neolithic era of Sardinia is associated with a number of cultures.

1 Su Carroppu culture
Representing the earliest phase of neolithic culture is Su Carroppu. It was around the 6th millennium BC. Since the 1960s, archaeologists have been excavating and studying a rock shelter on the limestone hills in the territory of Sirri called “Su Carroppu”. They found various coarse ceramics of a black-grey color decorated with the imprint of Cerastoderma. There were also animal bones, artifacts and tools.

2 Grotta Verde culture
Monte Arci, in province of Oristano has a great source of obsidian. For the area and time, it was excellent for tool making. It helped Grotta Verde culture spread. It is named after a cave located at Capo Caccia near Alghero. Dated to around 5000 BC (or 7000 years ago). (1) Many tools were found.

Characterized by the production of refined pottery, decorated with a toothed tool. Grotta Verde was present in the north-west. On a vase found in the cave, the handles depicted human heads with small nose, eyes and mouth. According to archaeologists this would be the first anthropomorphic representation in Sardinian prehistory. On a wall inside the cave unusual graffiti was also found.

3 Filiestru culture
In the 70s, on the west side of the island, in the territory of Mara, between Villanova Monteleone and Bosa. Explorers found a ravine of about sixty square meters. Scientist safely investigated. They discovered a sequence of different cultures, spread over a very long period of time.
The oldest was dated to late fifth millennium BC. Like many others, findings show the culture was developed and dedicated to agriculture, husbandry, hunting and fishing. The researchers also noted an almost complete disappearance of earlier forms of pottery. Instead there was the appearance of large greenstone rings. Similarly found in Corsica and the Italian peninsula(s). Research allowed archaeologist to argue that during the Filiestru culture period. They had close trade relations with other neolithic era communities. Like in southern France; the Iberian peninsula; Italian peninsula and Sicily. (2)

4 San Ciriaco culture
Characterized as a cultural link between the Bonu Ighinu and Ozieri. San Ciriaco culture, from 3400-3200 BC, marked the end of the middle Neolithic. In the province of Oristano, they found a neolithic village. It is in an area the culture is named after. During this period, they built the first Domus de Janus, a hypogean tomb.

Domus de Janas, Sardinia
Archaeologists claim that the first Domus de Janas was started around 5000 years ago. After the San Ciriaco culture finished the first Domus De Janus, it spread with #6 Ozieri culture. And, throughout Sardinia.

5 Arzachena, or “Corsican Gallurese cultural aspect”
The Arzachena culture was mostly involved in the Gallura region. Eastern parts, and in southern Corsica. Hence it is also known as: the “Corsican- Gallurese cultural aspect”.
Arzachena had megaliths including Li Muri (pic), and Gallura (top of page). Both circular grave sites. That were some of the oldest in the Mediterranean. (3)

Grave goods found included refined cups of soapstone, carvings, knives of flint, small triangular hatchets and necklaces.

6 Pottery of the Ozieri culture
Ozieri culture was unique. Previously, their type of pottery was considered rare, and only known in the Cyclades, and, Crete. But its was nearly 1500 km away.
The culture shows trades with other Mediterranean lands were successful. New skills and expertise begin appearing in Sardinia during this period. Different lifestyles too; including metallurgy, and new and improved manufacturing techniques.

The Ozieri shared an important religion too. They worshiped the Sun and taurus, a symbol of male strength. And, the moon and Mediterranean mother. A symbol of female fertility.

Sardinian Nuraghe Nolza are megalithic constructions in the shape of a truncated cone
They are densely present throughout Sardinia. Almost each one of them has unique features. Some are more complex and articulated, like real castles with the highest tower reaching a height between twenty-five and thirty meters.
It is believed they had military, religious, and astronomical purposes.

Chalcolithic period
1 Sub-Ozieri or red Ozieri culture
Dated around 2850 and 2700 BC. The culture was particularly noticeable in the central and southern parts of Sardinia. (4) Because of metallurgy, and ceramics; stone tools and regular pottery begin being used less during this period.

3 Monte Claro culture
No doubt with metallurgy spreading. Cultures started innovations using greater stone work, like oven shaped tombs. From around 2400 to 2100 BC. They also built a great megalithic wall on the northern, central part of the island. It is not long before Nuragic culture starts.

Through these creative, eventful and prosperous times in neolithic Sardinia many flourished. Check it out with some more neolithic architecture today!

Cite: 7) Brigaglia M., Mastino A., Ortu G. Storia della Sardegna 1. Dalle origini al Settecento, Bari, 2006 pg. 5

9) Brigaglia M., Mastino A., Ortu G. Storia della Sardegna 1. Dalle origini al Settecento, Bari, 2006 pg. 5-10

11) Ugas, G. (2005). L’alba dei Nuraghi. Cagliari pg. 14

14) Anthroponet-Sub Ozieri (http://www.anthroponet.it/schede_subozieri.htm)

Bibliography: The Ancient Connection, Sardinia, Island of mysteries

Giuseppe Pitzalis, Pino Fenu, Fabio Martini, Lucia Sarti, [Online-Version Grotta Su Coloru: Primi dati sui contesti culturali Mesolitici E Neolitici (Scavi 1999-2003)] , in Sardinia, Corsica et Baleares antiquae : international journal, 2003.

Atzeni E., La preistoria del Sulcis-Iglesiente, AA.VV., Iglesias. Storia e Società, Iglesias, 1987

AA.VV., Ichnussa. La Sardegna dalle origini all’età classica, Milano, 1981.

Contu E., Monte d’Accoddi (Sassari). Problematiche di studio e di ricerca di un singolare monumento preistorico Deja Conference, BAR. s. 288. Oxford. (1984)

Gary Webster (2019). The Sardinian Neolithic: An Archaeology of the 6th and 5th Millennia BCE. BAR int. Ser. 2941. Oxford: BAR Publishing.

G. Webster and M. Webster (2017). Punctuated Insularity. The Archaeology of 4th and 3rd millennium Sardinia, Oxford: BAR International Series 2871