The megalithic complex of Monte Baranta in Sardinia: a pilgrimage center of the early Bronze Age?

  • Giulio Magli Politecnico di Milano
  • Eugenio Realini Osaka City University, Osaka
  • Daniele Sampietro Politecnico di Milano
  • Mauro Peppino Zedda

Abstract

The imposing megalithic complex located on the Monte Baranta plateau, near the town of Olmedo in North-west Sardinia is one of the best preserved monuments of the pre-nuragic period, and pertains to the cultural horizon called Monte Claro (2500-2200 BC circa). The complex is particularly interesting in the context of late-Neolithic architecture since it was abandoned already during the Monte Claro phase, and only sporadic frequentation is documented afterwards. The site is usually interpreted as a fortified stronghold but this interpretation has many drawbacks. As a consequence, we have subjected the site to a new survey with the specific aim of gaining a better understanding of its function. Our survey, based on classical topographic observations combined with GPS measurements has led to a new reading of the megalithic complex: topographical and archaeo-astronomical data indeed clearly point to a radically new interpretation of this site as a sacred place, probably a pilgrimage centre.

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Come citare
Magli G., Realini E., Sampietro D. y Peppino Zedda M. (2011). The megalithic complex of Monte Baranta in Sardinia: a pilgrimage center of the early Bronze Age?. Complutum, 22(1), 107-116. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_CMPL.2011.v22.n1.6
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Artículos