The Cultural Life of Caves in Seulo, Central Sardinia

Authors

  • Robin Skeates Durham University
  • Maria Giuseppina Gradoli Leicester University
  • Jessica Beckett Freelance osteoarchaeologist

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jmea.v26i1.97

Keywords:

caves, heritage, landscape, ritual, memory, radiocarbon dating

Abstract

This paper seeks to refine understandings of the cultural life of caves—especially later prehistoric caves—in Sardinia, with particular reference to the themes of landscape and ritual performance. It also highlights significant local diversity within this category of archaeological site, drawing upon the results of archaeological research into an extraordinary group of over ten ritual caves in the territory of Seulo in central Sardinia, including a series of twenty new radiocarbon dates.

Author Biographies

  • Robin Skeates, Durham University
    Robin Skeates is Reader in Archaeology at Durham University. He is a specialist in central Mediterranean prehistory and in public archaeology. His recent books include: Visual Culture and Archaeology: Art and Social Life in Prehistoric South-East Italy (London: Duckworth, 2005), and An Archaeology of the Senses: Prehistoric Malta (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010).
  • Maria Giuseppina Gradoli, Leicester University
    Giusi Gradoli is a professional geologist and coordinator of the International Summer School in European Prehistory. She is currently undertaking doctoral research at Leicester University on the petrology of Sardinian prehistoric ceramics.
  • Jessica Beckett, Freelance osteoarchaeologist
    Jessica Beckett completed her doctorate at Cambridge University on the use of taphonomy for interpreting burial rituals. She now works as a freelance osteoarchaeologist.

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Published

2013-05-05

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Skeates, R., Gradoli, M. G., & Beckett, J. (2013). The Cultural Life of Caves in Seulo, Central Sardinia. Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology, 26(1), 97-126. https://doi.org/10.1558/jmea.v26i1.97