Art and Death in Late Neolithic Sardinia: The Role of Carvings and Paintings in Domus de Janas Rock-cut Tombs

Late Neolithic Sardinian rock-cut tombs, known as domus de janas, were not merely burial sites but complex ritual architectures where art played a pivotal role in shaping deathways. A systematic analysis of carvings and paintings—depicting architectural structures, cattle-head motifs, and geometric designs—in these tombs revealed that motifs were consistently placed at specific locations, suggesting standardized ritual uses. Art actively structured spaces, sequenced rituals, and shaped the ceremonial experience, indicating its significance as a key agent in Late Neolithic death practices.

Robin, G. (2016). Art and Death in Late Neolithic Sardinia: The Role of Carvings and Paintings in Domus de Janas Rock-cut Tombs. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 26(3), 429–469. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0959774316000196