Location
The Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju is situated near Riu Filibertu’s shore, 10 km. from Alghero and on the road called “two seas”, close to I Piani.
Age
Copper Age, culture of St. Michael from Ozieri.
Importance
It’s one of Sardinia’s largest Necropolis’ (38 hypogeum) and one of the most important archaeological areas in the Mediterranean.
Burial Characteristics
It’s the metallurgic sailors’ and farmers’ cemetery; their bodies were frequently buried under white heaps of valves and molluscs. To be noted is one of the tombs with a triton indicating the deceased’s profession; a sailor. Alghero’s cemetery also has ties to the sea; plenty of cardias and mussels interpreted as the remains of ritual meals have been found.
Necklaces and Ornaments
These were made of shells and wild boar, fox and maybe also dog’s teeth and were used by both women and men. They were embellished with bone pearls, striped limestone, quartz and also silver. Pendants made of amorphous quartz, black and white limestone, pumice and schist have been found. There are also some very pretty examples of small hatchets polished with green stone; they were used to protect the deceased and thwart off the evil.
