Necropoli di Santu Pedru

Useful Information

Location:	Località Santu Pedru, 07041 Alghero SS. Between Alghero and Sassari, follow SS127bis. Parking at the road. (40.6235273, 8.4029480)
Open:	Only after appointment. [2025]
Fee:	. [2025]
Classification:	Cave Tomb Domus de Janas
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	Tomb III: Ar=161.46 m².
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Ercole Contu (1964): La tomba dei vasi tetrapodi in località Santu Pedru (Alghero-Sassari) In: Monumenti Antichi dei Lincei, Roma, XLVII, 1964, coll. 1-196 Ercole Contu (1995): Necropoli ipogeica di Santu Pedru (Alghero-Sassari), in Sardegna a cura di A. Moravetti, collana "Guide archeologiche", 2, Forlì, A.B.A.C.O., 1995, pp. 19–25;
Address:	Necropoli di Santu Pedru, COOP. SILT, Cell: +39-329-4385947. E-mail: E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1959	discovered.
1963	excavated by Ercole Contu.
1989	excavated by Alberto Moravetti.
1995	excavated by Alberto Moravetti.
1995	Tomb X excavated by Paolo Melis.

Description

Necropoli di Santu Pedru (Necropolis of Santu Pedru) is located on the southwestern slope of Mount Santu Pedru, hence the name. 10 tombs arranged in a north-south direction, along the slope, have the same planimetric typology, cells arranged in a T-shape. Tomb I with its nine cells and 16-metre-long dromos and Tomb III with 13 cells are the largest of the necropolis. The site was discovered in 1959 as a result of the construction of the Alghero aqueduct. During construction works Tomb I was found. The presence of tetrapod vessels in this tomb gave it the name "Tomb of the Tetrapod Vases".

The site was excavated by Ercole Contu, who documented a stratigraphic sequence which is one of the most complete in Sardinian prehistory. It spans from the construction during the Ozieri culture, reuse during the Eneolithic period by the Filigosa-Abealzu, Monte Claro, and Campaniforme periods, to the final phase during the Bonnanaro culture in the Early Bronze Age. Further excavations were conducted by Alberto Moravetti between 1989 and 1995 in Tombs II, III, V, and VII. Paolo Melis excavated Tomb X in 1995. Many of the finds are now exhibited at the GA Sanna National Archaeological Museum in Sassari and the Archaeological Museum in Alghero.

The site does not have regular open hours, but it’s possible to make a reservation. Tours are made by S.I.L.T., the cooperative which also manages Necropoli di Anghelu Ruju.