The Enormous Room

A striking contrast emerges between the Copper Age and Bronze Age architectural traditions of Sardinia, revealing distinct societal shifts. While Bronze Age Sardinia is renowned for its monumental 'Great Houses,' the earlier period's domestic architecture is primarily understood through underground tombs known as domus de janas. These tombs, part of the Ozieri Culture, were intricately decorated and served as realistic replicas of domestic interiors, offering insights into Copper Age living spaces. Radiocarbon dating suggests these structures were contemporary with Western Europe's later megalithic art phases. Notably, most Sardinian domus de janas were square or rectangular, with only a minority designed to mimic roundhouses, reflecting the limited survival of settlements from this period. The study also compares these Mediterranean sites with similar structures in Britain and Ireland, exploring their potential ceremonial significance.

Bradley, R. (2012). The Enormous Room. The Idea of Order. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199608096.003.0012