The Domus de Janas, or "fairy houses," in Sardinia are seeking recognition from UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, with a decision expected by July 2025. According to Terra, a committee of the United Nations Organization (UN) will evaluate the candidacy, marking an important moment for these ancient structures. After years of dedicated work to achieve this recognition, there is a climate of cautious optimism in Sardinia, as reported by ANSA.
The Domus de Janas are prehistoric tombs carved into rock, dating back to the Neolithic period and belonging to the pre-Nuragic period. Terra notes that these structures are characteristic of almost all the historical regions of Sardinia and were used until the Early Bronze Age (4400-2000 BCE). Currently, 3,500 tombs have been cataloged as Domus de Janas, but scholars believe there may be many more yet to be discovered, as Terra reports.
These monuments constitute testimonies of the religious and civil life of the Sardinian prehistoric civilization. The workshops for processing obsidian in Pau are among the evidence of this ancient civilization, emphasizing the cultural and religious practices of the time, according to Terra.
Over a hundred municipalities scattered across Sardinia, including sixty local administrations, are contributing to the protection, enhancement, and international promotion of the Domus de Janas as a candidate for UNESCO recognition. ANSA reports that the Network of the Municipalities of the Domus de Janas is an aggregation of these local administrations, with Alghero serving as the leading municipality. This collective effort underscores the shared commitment to preserving and promoting Sardinia's prehistoric heritage.
Other prehistoric sites in Sardinia are also candidates for UNESCO recognition. According to Terra, these include the fortified village of Monte Baranta in Olmedo, the unique prehistoric altar of Monte d'Accoddi in Sassari, and the dolmen of Sa Coveccada in Mores. The dolmen of Sa Coveccada, as Terra notes, is an expression of the phenomenon of megalithism, demonstrating the island's role in prehistoric architectural developments.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.