Dolmen Museum

A. DOLMEN MONTE ROTUNDU (SOTTA)

In 2500 B.C., the astronomical orientation of dolmen Monte Rotundu was facing Alpha Muscae, as dolmen Ladas in Luras (in 2800 B.C.) and as dolmen Su Laccu (in 2400 B.C.) and Elcomis in Buddusò (in 2100 B.C.).

Stellar Target:
Azimuth: 198° Declination: -45.7°

B. DOLMEN CRUCI I e CRUCI II (LEVIE)

Both the dolmens had an astronomical orientation facing Alpha Crucis, respectively in 1400  and 1800 B.C.; the same stellar system (Centaurus/Crux/Musca) of many Sardinian dolmens, but in a more recent period (Bronze Age).

Stellar Target:
Cruci I:   Azimuth:  158   Declination:  -44°6         
Cruci II:  Azimuth:  205   Declination:  -43°1    

C. ARGHIOLA, FONTANACCIA and RENAGGIU (SARTENE)

Dolmen Arghiola is a very small one; its room measures m. 1 x 2. Its uniqueness lies in being built on a slope, so that the entrance of the room is on the floor, while its back is buried. Beta Crucis, the 2nd brightest star of the Southern Cross (which, as mentioned, is no longer visible in the northern hemisphere by about three thousand years), in 2700 BC, was in front of the entrance of the structure. The orientation towards the stellar system Centaurus/ Crux / Musca is the same of many dolmens in Sardinia.

Stellar Target:
Azimuth: 318° Latitude: 41°34’ Declination: -34.1°
Source: Proverbio, Calledda, Rivista Italiana di archeoastronomia, Roma 2004.

Dolmen Fontanaccia, at Sartene, is the most famous and visited dolmen in Corsica. Like Sardinian dolmen Sa Coveccada, it has an astronomical solstitial target (dawn of winter solstice), not a stellar one, as most of these structures. This confirms the relatively recent dating of this monument referring to the Bronze Age (1800-1500 BC) provided by its archaeological founds.

The alignment of Renaggiu is located in an oak forest about 400 meters south of dolmen Fontanaccia and it consists 40 standing stones, aligned to Betelgeuse in 1500 BC (Middle Bronze Age).

E. FILITOSA

It 's the most visited site of all Corsica. Around 1500 BC, some menhirs,  two or three meters tall, were lined up on the site around; their faces were carved with human features, armor and weapons.

For the archaeologist Roger Grosjean, these statues-menhirs were the chiefs of the enemies killed in battle, so shown to capture their strength. However, this purpose has not had any effect, because the invaders had the upper hand: the standing stones were thrown to the ground and divided into parts to reuse them as material for building structures similar to  Sardinian nuraghi (period "Torreano").

The artists have also had an eye for details. The enemy is depicted with an accentuated hemispheric helmet. Their clavicles and shoulder blades are protected with beads. Long swords are worn on the chest, hanging from a trapeze. The dagger is transversely attached to a belt with thong.

Roger Grosjean, according to the style of the clothes and weapons depicted, identified the menhir with the Shardanas warriors, or the "Sea Peoples" who attacked the Pharaonic Egypt on the twelfth and fourteenth century BC. The same weapons, however, are also worn by the warriors depicted in the "bronze" Sardinian Iron Age, and this fact constitutes one of the main clues for a supposed invasion of Sardinia (and Corsica) by Shardanas  in the iron age.

F. OLMETO

The dolmens of Olmeto has an orientation towards Alpha Centauri, in 2100 BC, that is always facing the star system Centaurus / Cross / Musca.

Stellar Target:
Azimuth: 150° Declination: -40.3°

Dolmen Petreto Bicchisano

G. PETRETO BICCHISANO

Petreto Bicchisano is an exception, for the Sardinian-Corsican dolmen system, possessing a lunar orientation: it is directed towards the southern major lunar solstice sunrise. The lunar solstice orientation, however, is not an exception in the European megalithic structures and it seems chronologically intermediate between the star and the solstice ones.

Stellar Target:
Azimuth: 137° Declination: -0.4°

Leave Petreto Bicchisano, retracing D420 and after about one km, N196, which you si imbocca a sinistra, in direzione Ajaccio. After about 38-39 km, at the roundabout, take the 1st exit, towards Bastia-Corte-Bocognano Calvi, and take the N193 for about 4 km. When you come to a roundabout, take the 1st exit and get onto the D81, and you will cross two roundabouts. After about 6.5 km, turn right and go onto the D22, after 3 kilometers, you will reach Appietto.

H. DOLMEN CIUTULAGHIA (APPIETTO)

Dolmen Ciutulaghia at Appietto has an orientation towards Alpha Centauri, in 2300 B.C.; towards the stellar system Centaurus/Crux/Musca again. 

Stellar Target:
Azimuth: 147° Declination: -39.3°