Researchers at the Su Nuraxi site in Sardinia have unearthed a complex stone pavement arranged in precise stellar patterns. Chemical analysis of the surrounding soil revealed high concentrations of ash and charred aromatic herbs, suggesting that large-scale ritual bonfires were held here during the vernal equinox to mark the beginning of the pastoral cycle.
The discovery of bronze animal figurines near the central hearth indicates that these fire festivals served as both a spiritual plea for herd fertility and a communal gathering point for the island's Nuragic clans. This site provides the first physical evidence of how ancient Sardinian societies synchronized their ceremonial calendar with celestial movements.