New excavations at the hypogeal necropolis of Sa Figu (Ittiri-Sassari): Tomb IV

Abstract

This paper presents the results of excavation in the 4th Tomb belonging the Bronze Age necropolis of Sa Figu, near Ittiri (Sassari-Sardinia): a rock-cut tomb of the "architectonic prospect" type, reproducing the characteristic elements of the nuragic "giant's tomb". Archaeological excavation has confirmed the chronology of these tombs, during the first phase of Middle Bronze Age (named "Sa Turricula"), according with the dating of similar megalithic tombs. Iron Age re-use of this tomb are also detected, explaining some aspects of the burial context in the final phase of Nuragic civilization. It is clear, also, that the rock-cut tombs with architectonic prospect proceed from the megalithic model of the giant's tomb and find their origins in the "domus de janas" tombs of Neolithic.