Midway between Sassari and Porto Torres, Monte d’Accoddi is a unique archaeological site, centred on a 3rd-millenium BC temple. Unlike anything else in the Mediterranean – the closest comparable structures are the Mesopotamian ziggurats – the temple was part of a neolithic village which archaeologists estimate existed as early as 4500 BC. Over time, it went through several phases until it appears to have been abandoned around 1800 BC. Soon after, the first nuraghe began to be raised.
Unfortunately, you don’t actually see anything like the Mayan temple you might be imagining. Instead you can just make out a rectangular-based structure (30m by 38m), tapering to a platform and preceded by a long ramp. On either side of the ramp are a menhir and a stone altar believed to be for sacrifices.
