Monte d'Accoddi

Sassari, Italy

Monte d'Accoddi is a Neolithic archaeological site in northern Sardinia, located in the territory of Sassari. The site consists of a massive raised stone platform thought to have been an altar. It was constructed by the Ozieri culture or earlier, with the oldest parts dated to around 4,000–3,650 BC.

The site was discovered in 1954 in a field owned by the Segni family. No chambers or entrances to the mound have been found, leading to the presumption it was an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It may have also served an observational function, as its square plan is coordinated with the cardinal points of the compass.

The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

Archeological excavations from the chalcolithic Abealzu-Filigosa layers indicate the Monte d'Accoddi was used for animal sacrifice, with the remains of sheep, cattle, and swine recovered in near equal proportions. It is among the earliest known sacrificial sites in Western Europe.

The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.

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Sassari, Italy
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Details

Founded: 4000-3600 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Gregor Čalkovský (n) (16 months ago)
Opened also on Sunday, nice place. Staff speaks great english, there are clean toilets aswell in the area.
Marcus Hurley (17 months ago)
The site at Turris Libisonis had taken longer than planned but the next site was only about 15 minutes away. Monte d'Accoddi is around 5-6000 years old and looks like a ziggurat. Smaller than the ones of Mesopotamia it is nevertheless an impressive site and unique in Europe. The walls are around 5m tall and the access ramp is 25m and there were lots of wildflowers around the site. Next to it is a large flat stone that could have been a sacrificial altar or feasting table as lots of animals bones were discovered around it. There is also the remains of a neolithic village and one of the many menhirs on the island next to the ramp. The lady at the site was extremely helpful and there was also a useful explanatory app. The aerial photos gave a far better idea of the site size and layout and it is strange that this site is pretty much unheard of while Stonehenge - far more mundane - is world famous. The site was in use from around 3000BC to around 1800BC, so it fell out of use around the time the nuraghe started being built.
Philippe Marty (21 months ago)
mysterious and intriguing ! this is the only place like this in Sardegna, and looks similar than Mesopotamia ziggurat from same epoch ! could there have been a link between those oriental people and the local nuragic civilisation ???????......
Iside Guerriera (2 years ago)
Wonderful experience. Very well kept archaeological site, kind and friendly receptionists, in a stunning landscape. I suggest to bring cash with you for the ticket.
Liam Zulficari (2 years ago)
Historical place. It’s not a big place but it’s interesting if you like history. Greetings
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