Ancient “Fairy Houses” Found in Sardinia
Local authorities in Sardinia, Italy, have reported the discovery of three ancient “fairy houses,” known as Domus de Janas. This announcement was made on July 29 by officials supervising archaeology and cultural heritage in the Sassari and Nuoro provinces.
Sardinia, an island in the Mediterranean, is well-known for its stunning beaches and ancient sites. The Domus de Jana dates back more than 5,000 years to the late Neolithic and Copper Age.
The term “fairy house” comes from local folklore, where these structures were thought to be inhabited by magical beings. However, they serve as tombs rather than whimsical dwellings.
Prior to this recent excavation, archaeologists had identified 17 of these tombs. Authorities indicated that certain geographical traits could guide further discoveries, potentially increasing the number of known Domus de Jana to 20.
According to an official statement, “the characteristics of the ground between two tombs suggested the presence of still-unexplored graves.” The new findings revealed three additional Domus de Janas, arranged in a fan-like pattern starting from one tomb.
The discovery is said to enrich the overall understanding of these ancient structures, which often reflect details of contemporary households and feature decorations linked to mystical religious practices.
Excavations also uncovered various artifacts, including Roman ceramics, such as plates and oil lamps, which were found to be in excellent condition. Some houses, notably the ones known as the Roman Vase Tomb, contained intricately designed painted walls.
Interestingly, this group of tombs is part of a larger site called the Archaeological Complex of San Andre Aliu, which has recently been acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In another notable find, archaeologists recently uncovered an Etruscan tomb about 30 miles north of Rome—remarkably, it had never been looted. There’s also been a discovery of an ancient apartment building in Rome, dating back to before the birth of Christ.
