Topographical and astronomical analysis on the Neolithic "Altar" of monte d' accoddi in Sardinia
Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.9, No.2, 2009, pages 61-69
Issue:
Pages:
61-69
Abstract:
The pre‐historic ‘altar’ of Monte d’ Accoddi ‐ near Sassari, Sardinia ‐ is a unique monument in the whole Mediterranean area. It is indeed a huge ʺpyramidʺ constructed out of cyclopean masonry, but it exhibits a monumental access ramp similar to the MesopotamianZiggurats. The monument is extremely ancient since its first phases of construction date back to 3200 BC; it is usually interpreted as a sacred center perhaps devoted to the ʺMother Earthʺ. Although pretty little is known about pre‐nuragic religion, astronomicalalignments have been documented in contemporary sites in Sardinia. Therefore, with the aim of contributing to the interpretation of such a unique construction, we have carried out a new, complete archaeoastronomical survey of this monument and itsannexes, which is presented here. It turns out that, the presence of astronomical references at the site becomes apparent if the alignments defined by the menhirs located in the fields nearby are analyzed. Indeed, there exists convincing evidence that, from thesummit of the platform, lines of sight at the eastern horizon guided by a white limestone menhir and by a reddish stone menhir located at some two hundreds meters from the monument framed the rising of the Sun at winter solstice, pointing to the rising of Siriusand to the southern extreme declination of Venus respectively, while the same menhirs were likely used as backsights for the standstills of the Moon as observed from the eastern corners of the monument.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
Monte d’ Accoddi, altar, Pre‐nuragic Sardinia, Astronomical alignments, menhir
