Archaeologists unearth 5,000-year-old 'fairy houses' hidden on scenic Italian island

The discovery was announced by the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Provinces of Sassari and Nuoro on July 29.

The fairy houses - known as domus de janas in Sardinian - date back over 5,000 years to the late Neolithic and Copper Age. 

The name comes from local folklore, which imagined the chambers as dwellings for magical beings. Despite the fanciful name, though, the structures are actually tombs. 

Before the most recent excavation, archaeologists had found 17 of these tombs. 

Pictures show archaeologists crouched down in the rock-cut tombs, carefully unearthing features and artifacts.

The Sassari and Nuoro Superintendency reported that "numerous and significant finds" were uncovered, including pickaxes, a spindle whorl and a small greenstone axe.

The archaeologists also came across obsidian fragments and pottery shards. The most complex house - dubbed Tomb of the Roman Vases - contained a painted wall band, officials said.

It also held over 30 Roman-era ceramic pieces, including plates, oil lamps and jugs. The statement described all the artifacts as being "in excellent condition."