The 'Giant’s Grave' were used as a public tombs during the Bronze Age

The ‘Giant’s Grave’ were used as a public tombs during the Bronze Age

Coddu Vecchiu is a Giant’s grave in Sardinia which was built during the Bronze Age (3300-700 BC). It is believed that it was built by the Nuragic civilization and it was used by the Nuragic people as a public tomb.

Giant's grave Coddu Vecchiu. Photo Credit — *Giant’s grave Coddu Vecchiu. Photo Credit*

*Legend claims that these were the tombs of powerful giants. Photo Credit*

According to legend, giants were buried in this tombs due to the massive size of some of the stones used.

But this is just a legend and in the tombs, regular sized people were buried from the Nuragic civilization.

So far about 320 tombs ahve been found. Photo Credit — *So far about 320 tombs have been found. Photo Credit*

The graves remain mysterious because very little is known about the rituals that occurred there. Many believe that the sites are the location of powerful sources of natural energy and that for that reason, they were chosen as burial locations.

According to another legend, it was believed that the doors in the tombs were used to facilitate passage into the afterlife.

*The doorway of the central stele was believed to be the barrier between the physical world and the afterlife. Photo Credit*

These tombs have been studied in relation to Nuragic’s astronomical orientation. There were an example of how Nuragic people had a great knowledge of the celestial cycles.

On the equinoxes days, in the tombs of “Li Mezzani” in Palau and “Coddu Vecchiu”, the sunrise’s light enters perfectly in the tomb corridor, through the small opening on the stele dominating the semicircular main front called exedra.

Many tombs of Giants are also oriented towards the Taurus' constellation precisely towards the brighest star, Aldebaran. Photo Credit — *Many tombs of Giants are also oriented towards the Taurus’ constellation precisely towards the brightest star, Aldebaran. Photo Credit*

There are two types of tombs, the “slab type” and the “block type”. The “slab type” was constructed from massive stone slabs which were placed upright, and buried into the ground.

The slabs are all uniform in height except the center slab which is taller than the other slabs.

*Inside, there is an underground tunnel and a funeral hall. Photo Credit*

The “block type” was constructed of large, rectangular blocks. This block type tombs are found elsewhere from Coddu Vecchiu but they are connected.

*Is located on a sloping ground, at the foot of a hilly area cultivated with vineyards. Photo Credit*

The Giant’s Tombs have undergone many repairs over many years, and their final plan may be fairly complex. Unfortunately, Coddu Vecchiu has suffered ill-conducted excavations over a long period.