Megalitism

The term “megalithism” designates a phenomenon of planetary magnitude (all the continents have been involved in it) and originates from the large blocks of stone used both for a singularly monumental use (this is the case of menhirs) and for the construction of buildings defined, in fact, as “megalithic”.
Among the most typical expressions of megalithism attested in Sardinia, we must remember the already mentioned 'menhirs', the 'dolmen', the 'allées couvertes', monuments relevant to the chronological phases of the recent Neolithic.

The 'menhirs' (known in Sardinia as 'fittas') are large blocks of stone with a generally elongated shape, which can have this shape both naturally and as a result of human action tending to regulate the morphology of the blocks, which can then be erected individually or in alignments. This is the case, in Sardinia, of the alignment of Pranu Mutteddu with Goni, which accompanies the necropolis with circular tombs.

The term 'dolmen' (of Breton origin, like the word 'menhir') means 'stone table' and refers to the typical shape of the monuments so named, made just like a sort of stone table. The dolmens (one for all, the one of Motarra in the territory of Dorgali) served as tombs.

Finally, the “allées couvertes” (for example that of Sa Tanca 'e sa Marchesa in the territory of Birori) still had a funeral function, made with two parallel rows of orthostats closed above by plates placed horizontally to close the long chamber intended for collective burials.

Update

9/9/2023 - 18:34