Necropolis Of Su Crucifissu Mannu 0 Comments

Necropolis Of Su Crucifissu Mannu

the surgical skills of the Nuragics


At 1 hour and 43 minutes drive and 134 km from Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel & Suites,  there is the hypogenic Necropolis (an excavated and undergroundnecropolis), of Su Crucifissu Mannu, in Porto Torres - Turris Libisonis, made up of 22 tombs of various sizes and typology, originally dating back to the "Culture of Ozieri" (final Neolithic 3200-1600 BC).

The necropolis is a complex of Domus de Janas dug into a limestone bank that was brought to light in 1956 and between 1972 and 1980.

Of the 22 sepulchers, some were found sealed, documenting burial operations and providing precious finds, such as 3 stone idols of the Mother Goddess, “Cultura Bonnanaro” ceramics (1800-1600 BC), spherical, perforated buttons, the “Bell-shaped vase” (2100-1800 BC) and many objects of funerary equipment, useful for dating, and four brassards, as bracelets to protect the arm or wrist from the whipping of the bowstring at the shooting moment.

The exceptional discovery of two drilled skulls, "in vivo", is testifying to us that in the year 1600 BC. in Sardinia was living a population excelling in surgical skills. They weren't surgeries performed on the dead, because at least in one case the person survived the mysterious practice.

Very interesting indeed are the taurine decorations with crescent-shaped horns (bovine protomes) carved on the walls, the traces of supporting columns of the vaults and the decorations of false doors.

The "false door" is present in several Domus de Janas in Sardinia but it is also existing in the funerary structures of Ancient Egypt. It represented the passage through which the soul passed from life to death, which in a Necropolis would make complete sense. In this case "Domus de Janas" would take on the meaning of "houses of the Doors". This hypothesis would deprive us of the mythological presence of the Janas, the fairies or fadas in the necropolis. A true revolution which would however also imply a strong relationship between the Nuragic and Nilotic populations, as already hypothesized when writing of The Shardana, the army of valiant Sardinian warriors chosen by the pharaoh Ramses.

The cover of some hypogea collapsed during the construction of the Roman road between Turris Libisonis and Karales (Porto Torres and Cagliari).  

One more interesting detail are the parallel furrows or "rails" of Roman sledges or carts that transported the limestone blocks to build the structures of Turris Libisonisis that are engraved on the rocky floor.

But why the name of Su Crucifissu Mannu? It seems that in the III century AD. a "Great Crucifix" was the pilgrims' destination for Saint Gavino’s feast from Sassari to Porto Torres, and then they continued towards a “Minor Crucifix” also near Porto Torres.

As often happens, our curiosities and perplexities are not always satisfied because studies on the wonderful Sardinian Archaeology proceed very slowly. But let's not despair: in recent decades we have recovered a great deal of material and a lot of knowledge. We trust in the future of archaeological excavations and in the archeologians' passion. But above all, in the necessary subsidy that will allow the discovery progress.


“This little servant thus recounted having visited the Domos de Janas several times: "You have to crawl in on all fours, but immediately you find yourself in a room more than seven meters high, all gilded like a pulpit, with the vault painted with stars; you see in front of you, through thousands of wide-open doors, a row of rooms, one more beautiful than the other, which end in a loggia overlooking the sea". This was the most fascinating detail: this opening of the mysterious underground house into the infinite breath of the sea.” (Matilde Serao)

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Written by Daniela Toti

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