Archaeologists excavating a monumental complex in Sardinia have uncovered a series of rare copper-studded bull masks dating back to the late Bronze Age. The find, located within a sacred well temple near Paulilatino, suggests that the Nuragic civilization practiced elaborate animal-masquerade festivals linked to the agricultural calendar.
Researchers believe these masks were worn by ritual leaders during communal harvest celebrations to symbolize fertility and agrarian strength. This discovery provides the first physical evidence of costumed performance in prehistoric Mediterranean island cultures, predating later classical traditions.