The sanctuary of Monte d’Accoddi is in the historical region of Nurra, in the area of Sassari. Right from the earliest digs (1952-59) led by Ercole Contu, this “stone hill” revealed a previously unknown architecture and one of a kind in Sardinia dating to the pre-nuraghe period.
Around 4000-3500 B.C., the “Red Temple” was erected with a trunk-pyramid platform preceded by a ramp. It was here that the archaeologist Santo Tinè conducted his digs (1979-1989), uncovering numerous findings. The floor and walls of the chapel, where people worshipped, were plastered and painted in ochre red. Only the perimeter wall of the structure remains, standing at approx. 70 cm high and traces of flooring. The Domus de janas are arranged around the sanctuary and the remains of a few huts, now reduced to a pile of stones.
The layout of the building, perhaps caused by a fire, made the construction of a new temple around 2800 B.C., and the one currently visible that incorporates the previous one. This too had a trunk-pyramid shape preceded by an access ramp, but with the use of a polygonal wall with chiseled profile Thanks to its layout, it is compared to a Mesopotamian ziqqurat. Attributed to this stage are the ruins of a few residential structures interpreted as a village-sanctuary. VIDEO
It is possible that pre-nuraghe communities met here to perform rites linked to fertility. Giving this idea are a menhir standing 4 and a half metres high, two sacrificial tables, the remains of animal bones linked to ritual meals, an altar depicting a wiry female figure outlined in relief. The structure is abandoned between the end of the bronze age and the start of the Middle Bronze Age. The findings that came to light during the dig are now on display in the National G.A. Sanna Archaeological Museum In Sassari.
On the former SS131, heading towards Porto Torres, past the fork for Platamona (at 222.3 km), the site is marked by tourist signs in correspondence with the fork for Bancali. Here, you need to turn left and head in the opposite direction. After 850 m turn left when you see the right of way road sign Monte d’Accoddi. The ticket office sits along the paved road, in correspondence with the car park.
