The site
The site of the Necropolis of Li Muri dates back to about 6000 years ago, to the Neolithic. It was discovered in 1939 by Michele Ruzittu. The necropolis has four funerary circles, tangent to each other with a width varying between 5 and 8.5 meters in diameter. The funeral circles in Sardinia, contemporary to the domus de janas, are a peculiarity of Gallura and represent one of the most original testimonies of western European megalithism. The burials are delimited by small slabs fixed in the ground arranged in a circular manner. They were originally covered by mounds of stones and earth which formed four artificial mounds.
photo by sardegnacultura.it
The burials
Inside each circle there is a small rectangular lithic chest which contained one or two deceased, placed in a fetal position. Each burial also had a kit consisting of different types of precious objects, such as flint blades, spheroid knobs, polished stone hatchets and a steatite cup was also found. The richness of the grave goods suggests that the deceased were important people in the society of the time. Traces of red ocher were also found, a symbol of life and regeneration, used in ritual practices. Between the various circles there are also two large menhirs made of granite which had the function of signaling the point where the tombs were located, but they could also be symbolic representations of divinities or the souls of the deceased.
Gallery
photo by sardegnacultura.it
photo by commons.wikimedia.org
photo by catalogo.beniculturali.it
Insights
The book "Il nuraghe Albucciu e i monumenti di Arzachena" deals with the prehistoric events of Gallura, describing the monuments present in the Arzachena area. Among these we also speak of the Necropolis of Li Muri, the best known complex among the archaeological sites in the area. The book describes today's structure of the necropolis and also how it should have been in the past, i.e. composed of four artificial hills created through many slabs fixed in the ground to form the circles that we can see today. There is also mention of the remains of a menhir in particular which was present in the necropolis in the past, as well as the various objects found in the burials. Some of the most significant are the spherical knobs and a steatite cup, very precious objects that allow us to understand the importance of the deceased buried in the necropolis.
Where you can find it
Click on the map to go on Google Maps
The site is located in Gallura, province of Sassari, approximately 8.4 km from the town of Arzachena.
It is recommended to get there by car by taking the provincial road 115 and turning into Via Pilastru
The Li Muri Necropolis is open to visits every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
Ticket fares are 4 euros, except for discounts.
This web site was realised for the contest
“Noi e L’Unesco: la Sardegna preistorica”
iosonolimuri
Realised by the students:
Luisa Leoni, Loris Marcia
Matteo Pilurzi, Martina Seu
Classe 4°B
Teacher: Sara Mameli
Liceo scientifico L.Mossa Olbia
Via Campidano, 1, 07026 Olbia
Our email:
"Circololimurix@gmail.com"
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photo by Donna Nuragica