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Origin and history

The Castellu d'Araghju is a prehistoric site emblematic of the Torrean culture, located in San-Gavino-di-Carbini in South Corsica. Built on a rocky promontory at 245 meters above sea level, it overlooks the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio. This monument is distinguished by its imposing enclosure of 4 meters high and 2 meters thick, pierced by two entrances including one condemned. The eastern entrance, framed by bastions, leads to a narrow corridor of 10 meters leading to a small room, with a potential heal. A round road surrounds the rampart, and the inner courtyard, which is 450 m2, houses living spaces integrated with the east wall. The torra, located in the southwest corner, has a helical ramp to access the upper floor.

The excavations carried out from 1967 by Roger Grosjean revealed archaeological furniture composed mainly of pottery studs, stone tools and a grain mill still visible on site. The site, occupied without interruption from the Bronze Age at the beginning of the Iron Age, underwent several redevelopments, the Torra being probably its oldest part. Ranked a historic monument in 1974, it bears witness to the Torrean territorial organization, together with other neighbouring castelli such as Muratu, Torre and Valle, each associated with a specific territory.

The Castellu d'Araghju embodies a sophisticated defensive and community architecture, typical of prehistoric Corsica. Its exceptional state of conservation allows us to study construction techniques, defence systems (lintals, bastions, access corridor) and internal spatial organization. The presence of living spaces in the enclosure suggests a military and residential function, reflecting a society organized around these monumental structures. The site offers valuable insight into the daily life, exchanges and social hierarchy of the Bronze Age in the Mediterranean.

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