For the Palaeolithic Age, the num- ber of skeletal findings was not sufficient to enable a reliable estimate of height, while for the Early Neolithic (3900–3300 BC) the average stature of Sardinians was reported to be 161.7 cm for males and 150.1 cm for females (Floris, 1983).

“Contemporary Sardinians represent a reservoir for some variants that are currently very rare in continental Europe,” Cucca said. “These genetic variants are tools we can use to dissect the function of genes and the mechanisms that are at the basis of genetic diseases.”

The coastal regions of both islands were settled by Romans and adopted the Latin language and culture; however, the interior areas of Sardinia and Corsica resisted the Romans.

Sardinian language, Sardinian limba Sarda or lingua Sarda, also called Sardu, Italian Sardo, Romance language spoken by the more than 1.5 million inhabitants of the central Mediterranean island of Sardinia.

Top 10 eats in Sardinia

• Su Porcheddu. Among the most famous meat dishes on the island, and a real countryside tradition, Su Porcheddu is better known as roast suckling pig, usually cooked on a spit for up to five hours.
• Culurgiones.
• Zuppa Gallurese.
• Malloreddus.
• Pane Carasau.
• Pecorino Sardo.
• Seadas.
• Sea urchins.

Sardinians are the indigenous inhabitants of Sardinia, an island close to Corsica.

Chosen by many as a summer and beach destination, Sardinia is famous for the clear and pristine waters, awarded time after time, and for the variety of its coasts.

10 things not to miss in Sardinia

• The roast suckling pig.
• Cala Brandinchi beach.
• People watching on the Costa Smeralda.
• Horse riding along the coast.
• Shop at a local market.
• Boat trip to Maddalena Islands.
• Roman cities of Nora and Tharros.
• Alghero’s old town.

Travel to Sardinia is incredibly safe—in fact, this island is one of the safest places to visit in the Italian kingdom. There are prehistoric dwellings known as “nuraghi” scattered all throughout, and you are sure to encounter one while you travel in Sardinia.

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and before Cyprus), with an area of 24,100 km2 (9,305 sq mi).

There is currently just the 1 ferry route running between Sardinia and Sicily operated by 2 ferry companies – Grimaldi Lines & Tirrenia. The Cagliari to Palermo ferry crossing operates weekly with a scheduled sailing duration from about 12 hours.