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Tomb in chamber no. 5

The tomb in chamber no. 5 is the best known of the tombs in the hypogeum necropolis of Monte Sirai. The chamber, preceded by the usual corridor (known as dromos) with steps (figs. 1-3) has a large central decorated pillar that the experts believe dates the tomb between 400 and 250 B.C.

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Figs. 1-2 - Aerial view of the hypogeum necropolis and entrance corridor to tomb (photo UNICITY S.p.A.).
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Fig. 3 - Map (BARTOLONI 2000, fig. 23).

 

Decoration on the pillars is known in the tradition of the Sulcis tombs, like in Sant’Antioco.
The pillar organises the interior space and has a low-relief sign on the side facing the entrance of the goddess Tinnit, unusually upside down (fig. 4).

The sign of the Phoenician divinity often also used in Carthage is used here in a tomb; its direction is intended as a symbol of the turning upside down that death represents compared to life: the presence of “upside down” signs in prehistoric tombs in Sardinia has also hypothesised a use influenced by this cultural background.

The tomb shows sarcophaguses dug into the rock and niches, and has a scenographic reproduction of ceramic items (fig. 5).

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Figs. 4-5 - Pillar with markings of Tinnit and niches containing reconstructed ceramic pieces (photo UNICITY S.p.A.)

 

Bibliografia

  • M. G. AMADASI - I. BRANCOLI, La necropoli, in MONTE SIRAI – II, Roma, pp. 95-121.
  • P. BARTOLONI, La necropoli di Monte Sirai - I (Collezione di Studi Fenici, 41), Roma.
  • P. BARTOLONI, Monte Sirai, Sassari.
  • M. H. FANTAR, D. FANTAR, La nécropole, in MONTE SIRAI – IV, Roma 1967, pp. 63-81.
  • M. GUIRGUIS, Monte Sirai 1963-2013 mezzo secolo di indagini archeologiche, Sassari.

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