The Chronology of Monte d’Accoddi (Sardinia, Italy) – New Radiocarbon Dates

Abstract

The shrine at Monte d’Accoddi constitutes an architectural unicum in the context of the Mediterranean of the 4th millennium cal. BC. The building comprised of a terrace with an access ramp, a form that has led to an ongoing debate as to the possible origins of this architectural model. In its earliest phase, attributable to the first half of the 4th millennium cal. BC, the edifice consisted of a truncated pyramidal core. During the second half of the same millennium this was englobed by a second building, similar to the first in general shape, but much larger and with a central, possibly stepped, core. The site was occupied during the 3rd millennium cal. BC and occasionally so during the following proto-historic and subsequent phases of history. This paper will present new radiocarbon dates that will help to define the construction and occupation phases of the monument as well as the settlement that grew around it.