NECROPOLE DE LI MURI

Discovered in 1939 by a teacher from Arzachena, the necropolis of Li Muri has four funerary circles and a chamber tomb dating back to the pre-nuragic era. Each circle is made of granite slabs planted in the ground. In its centre, a cistus with stone slabs was designed to receive objects of worship. The inside of the circle was then covered with earth forming a tumulus. The sepulchral chamber is somewhat removed from the circles. Semi-buried, a mound covered it on three of its sides. The chamber is preceded by a betyle, a form of stele planted in the middle of a square delimited by a low stone wall. The latter symbolizes the dwelling of a god, if not the god himself. The divine allegory allowed the accomplishment of rites. The traces of ochre found inside the tomb suggest that the deceased was painted the colour of blood, which symbolised regeneration. It would seem that each circle corresponded to a unique burial, due to the few skeletons found. Nevertheless, in the largest of the burial circles, archaeologists have uncovered two levels of deposition, separated by granite slabs. It is possible that more bodies may have been found in this tomb. The interest of the Li Muri site also lies in the very refined objects unearthed. Soapstone necklaces, stone bowls and bowls, and axe blades reveal the social importance of the deceased. These objects are currently exhibited in the archaeological museums of Cagliari and Sassari.