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Hi Bucky,
I'd tend to agree that the most intersting Megalithic Architecture was that of the Nuragic Bronze Age with the Nuraghe, well temples and Giants Tombs, however these evolved from Chalcolithic and Neolithic structures, cists and galleries so you can see a progression, an evolution of architecture on Sardinia.
I agree that most of the Neolithic sites are pretty run of the mill, cist cemeteries, dolmen and the rock-cut Domus de Janas. However I saw one site there that could be classified as unique to western neolithic Europe, the wonderful 'ziggurat' of Monte d'Accoddi.
cheers
Fitz

fitzcoraldo wrote:
. . . so you can see a progression, an evolution of architecture on Sardinia.
Oh, yes, it was fascinating to see that the Giant's Tombs forecourts had been added to earlier structures. Italy in general has a wealth of prehistoric stuff they just don't help tourists find. Perhaps so many concentrate on the Roman and later, the prehistoric gets such short shrift?

I really think Italy could be such a wonderful study, with material from the paleolithic to the present. There are marvelous painted caves in Puglia, but you can't see them. The little local archaeology museums are impossible to find, and mostly closed if you do. Well, I guess Italy has so much easy stuff with which to lure tourists, they don't need to--and probably can't afford to--do much with the prehistoric.

Although Sardinia seems to be doing well with some of their larger sites. We found the local volunteer guides and ticket/gift shop shacks to be very helpful, if not always greatly knowledgeable.