Civico Museo Archeologico Ittireddu

The Prenuragic Age in the territory of Ittireddu

The territory of Ittireddu has been densely populated since the Neolithic Age (IV millennium BC). The villages where life unfolded during the Prenuragic Age leave no traces of the ancient structures, however, some areas present pottery and lithic fragments on the surface suggesting the presence of settlements which can be dated back to that time. In Lavrudu and the surrounding areas of Oleans and Sas Conzas they found fragments of  everyday ceramic objects such as bowls, carinated cups, globular jars with neck, but also a ciborium and a basket-shaped vase  from the Ozieri Culture, besides some lithic tools.

There is a high concentration of tombs, suggesting intense human activity in the territory during that period. Tombs set in artificial caves (in the Sardinian language they are called domus de janas) are densely distributed all over the territory (about sixty) in comparison with the other areas of the island. They are more numerous in the north-western area and are grouped together in huge necropolis (Partulesi, Monte Ruju, Monte Pira, Monte Nieddu). Sometimes, they can also be found isolated (Isca Piscamos hypogeum, Badde Tanchis, Tanca ‘e sas Animas). As often happens in the island, the finds show that these have been widely reused during the Eneolithic Age. An example (Partulesi, Tomb XIV) presents an architectural addition suggesting its use during the Nuragic Age as there is a curved stele carved in it, the typical feature of the Tombs of Giants.