Domus de Janas
Pre-Nuragic rock-cut tombs resembling houses, found in Sardinia.
Carved into the rock of Sardinia, the *Domus de Janas*—Sardinian for “House of the Fairies” or “House of Witches”—are chamber tombs built before the Nuragic civilization. Their layout mimics houses, with multiple rooms quarried out by successive cultures, from the San Ciriaco through the Ozieri and beyond. These tombs date mainly from 3400 to 2700 BC, spanning the late Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and early Bronze Age, including the Bell Beaker period.
Internal chambers vary in shape, sometimes resembling rounded huts with conical or triangular ceilings. Walls often bear reliefs or etchings of magical and religious symbols: spirals, zig-zag motifs, and bull’s horns. These neolithic murals are arguably the oldest known examples of egg tempera painting. In about 20 tombs, mostly in northwestern Sardinia, carved or painted false doors appear—typically on the back wall of the main chamber, framed by horizontal and vertical lines and a projecting lintel. Some are topped with U-shaped bull horns, painted or carved in nested sets. The earliest of these false doors predate those found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. Examples from the necropolis of Anghelu Ruju, near Alghero, span the Ozieri to Bonnanaro cultures (c. 3200–1600 BCE).
Corpses were painted with red ochre, like the tomb walls, and buried with everyday objects, jewelry, and tools. Archaeologist Giovanni Lilliu proposed that bodies were placed under shells of molluscs; other theories suggest they were left outside the tomb until reduced to skeletons, then moved inside. The largest necropolis, Anghelu Ruju, contains 38 tombs. Other major sites include Montessu near Villaperuccio and Sant’Andrea Priu at Bonorva. Domus de Janas appear across most of Sardinia, except in Gallura, where the dead were typically buried in megalithic circles such as those of Li Muri. In July 2025, these tombs were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the listing “Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas,” following a nomination in 2021.
Quick Facts
- Criteria
- iii
- Location
- Sardinia, Italy
- Year
- 2025
- Session
- 47th
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Domus de Janas were built by the people of the San Ciriaco through Ozieri cultures and later cultures, with construction spanning from around 3400 to 2700 BC. The tombs are carved into rock and feature multiple chambers that mimic the layout of contemporary houses. A notable necropolis at Anghelu Ruju near Alghero contains 38 tombs, while other large sites include Montessu near Villaperuccio and Sant'Andrea Priu at Bonorva. Many other domus de janas are found throughout Sardinia, except in Gallura, where the deceased were usually buried in megalithic circles such as those of Li Muri.
Reader's Guide
The Domus de Janas represent a significant funerary tradition in prehistoric Sardinia, reflecting the beliefs and artistic expressions of the island's early inhabitants. The internal chambers vary from rounded huts with conical or triangular ceilings, and walls are often decorated with reliefs or etchings of magical and religious symbols such as spirals, zig-zag motifs, and bull's horns. These murals are arguably the oldest known examples of egg tempera murals. Carved or painted false doors appear in about 20 tombs, mostly in northwestern Sardinia, with the earliest examples predating false doors in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The corpses were painted with red ochre like the tomb walls and buried with common life objects, jewels, and tools. There is dispute over burial practices: archaeologist Giovanni Lilliu suggested they were buried under mollusc shells, while other theories propose bodies were left outside until reduced to skeletons. In 2021, the Domus de Janas were nominated for the World Heritage List, and in July 2025 they were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the listing 'Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas.'
Did You Know?
- The Domus de Janas are also called 'House of the Fairies' or 'House of Witches' in Sardinian.
- The walls of the tombs are decorated with spirals, zig-zag motifs, and bull's horns.
- The earliest false doors in these tombs predate those found in Ancient Egyptian tombs.
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