General characteristics and stylistic comparisons Giants of Mont'e Prama

on whole statues highly stylized , geometrically shaped, so-called daedalic style , established in crete during 7th century bc. face of statues follows t-scheme typical of sardinian bronze statuettes, , of neighbouring corsican statues. superciliary arch , nose pronounced, eyes sunken , symbolically rendered 2 concentric circles; mouth incised short stroke, linear or angular. height of statues varies between 2 , 2.50 meters.

they appear represent boxers, archers , warriors, standing upright, barefoot , legs parted. feet defined, resting on square base. further characteristic presence of geometrical, decorative chevron (zig-zag) patterns, parallel lines , concentric circles, in cases not possible, statics reasons, represent such motives in relief. happens both object , bodily features. example, braids coming down @ sides of face represented in relief, hair rendered incised fish-bone patterns. archers’ brassard in relief, while details rendered geometrical engravings. these peculiarities – other evidences – demonstrate mont e prama statues draw heavily on sardinian statuettes. statues should have been painted, traces of colors have been recovered on of them: archer exhibits red-painted chest, whereas black colour has been found on other fragments.

etruscan votive offering bronze (left) — statue creta, dedalic style (center) — sardinian bronze statuette (right).

it difficult find parallels these sculptures in mediterranean area:

archaeologist carlo tronchetti speaks of orientalizing commissioners , ideologies. accordingly, other scholars  – paolo bernardini – identify in sculptures oriental influences, similarities archaic etruscan sculptures;
archaeologist brunilde sismondo ridgway finds resemblances picentines, lunigianian , daunian sculptures of 8th - 5th centuries bc, collocating statues within stylizing italic , aegean naturalistic current;
according giovanni lilliu sculptures belong geometric style, underscored engraved ornamental signs, , take direct inspiration sardinian statuettes of abini-teti type. according distinguished archaeologist profoundly wrong assign statues orientalizing period, possible exception of colossal body structure;
archaeologist marco rendeli considers unsatisfactory attempts compare sinis statues found in hellenic, italic, , etruscan areas. according him correct approach implies understanding statues unicum, originated interactions between levantine artisans , nuragic commissioners. uniqueness confirmed peculiar well-tombs of necropolis, finding no parallels in other sites, either in western or in eastern mediterranean.


nuragic bronze boxer warrior oblong shield above head, dorgali. national archaeological museum of cagliari.