Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju, Prehistoric burial site near Alghero, Italy.
Anghelu Ruju is a necropolis containing 38 tombs carved into sandstone cliffs, with individual chambers featuring pillars, cornices, and false door openings. The site spreads across a sloping area with a mix of smaller and larger burial rooms.
The burial grounds were used continuously from the Late Neolithic through the Early Bronze Age by different cultural groups. Archaeologists discovered evidence of this long occupation history during early 20th-century excavations.
The burial chambers, called domus de janas, display stone carvings of bull horns and mysterious symbols linked to Mediterranean religious beliefs. These carvings reveal what the people who buried their dead here thought about the spiritual world.
The site requires steady footing, as the burial chambers are spread across uneven terrain and some are reached by narrow rocky paths. Sturdy shoes and sun protection are advisable, especially during hot weather.
The burial chambers retain red ochre markings, a pigment choice common in prehistoric burials throughout the Mediterranean region. These reddish stains are still visible today and show the careful ritual preparation of the grave sites.
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