First published: 30/04/21.

Daniel C-Hazard 1

Domus De Janas

Domus de Janas (Nominated)

Domus de Janas by Daniel C-Hazard

Sardinia boasts arguably the best beaches in Europe as well as countless prehistoric and protohistoric archaeological sites. This TWHS is only about necropoles though, not less than 35 in the description (out of more than 10,000 on Sardinia), and most of them situated in the northwest of the island. As I have not been to that part of the island yet, I have only seen two of the tentative sites: Li Muri near Arzachena and the mysterious Tomba del Labirinto. Both are unique and worth the visit, and the latter could definitely use a protection concept.

Li Muri is situated in the northeast, not far from the famous Costa Smeralda, in a geographic cluster with other interesting megalithic/nuraghic sites. It consists of a series of four concentric funerary circles with vertically placed stones, a central sepulchral compartment and menhirs in the outer circle. It forms part of the Arzachena Archaeological Park along with other interesting sites but the distances between them are a bit too long to walk (and walking along the road certainly is not enjoyable). From the closest to the farthest from Li Muri, the other sites of the archaeological park are: Li Lolghi and Coddu Vecchiu (giants' tombs), La Prisgiona (nuraghe) and Albucciu (protonuraghe). All are worth to visit when in the area.

Tomba del Labirinto (also known as Luzzanas rock tomb) was an adventure to visit more than a decade ago (and probably still is today). At 40°26'11.98"N 9°7'30.87"E, it is situated in the middle of Macchia close to Terme Aurora (the closest municipality is Benetutti). It is next to a creek bed and gets flooded occasionally. Most famous for its incised labyrinth (photo) and of a remarkable form, the tomb was in an unprotected but relatively well-preserved state when I visited. I have seen a big hornet/wasp nest on the ceiling, luckily abandoned, and I have read that bats also live here. For these reasons alone, visitors should be very cautious and considerate (if access is not regulated anyway these days). Back then, I did not want to crawl deeper into this cave-like tomb. All in all, really interesting and worth protecting! Not far (by car), close to Orune, is Sardinia's best preserved fountain sanctuary Su Tempiesu, also very unique and in a nice leafy setting.

I can highly recommend to visit some of the (inland) prenuraghic and nuraghic sites when visiting Sardinia, including but not only the WHS Su Nuraxi di Barumini. The "Domus de Janas" cluster of necropoles, connected to the older Ozieri culture (ca. 3000 BC), would be a worthwhile addition to the World Heritage List and is to be seen separately from the Nuraghic culture.

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