Discovering the secrets of the "nuragic" sanctuaries with Uniss

The University of Sassari, with its Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, has just concluded the annual archaeological research campaigns in three proto-historic cult buildings: Iloi in Sedilo (Oristano), Sos Muros in Buddusò (Sassari), Ponte a Dualchi (Nuoro). The investigations have brought new information for the understanding of the peculiar and significant phenomenon of construction and organization of temples and sanctuaries that characterizes Sardinia at the end of the Bronze Age and in the early Iron Age (12th-8th century BC).
 

The protagonists of the research were the students of the University of Sassari, of the three-year and master's degree courses in Archeology and of the School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, who worked together with colleagues from the Universities of Cagliari, Genoa, Bologna, Pisa and the Universities de Cadiz, Universität Weimar, University of California - Los Angeles.

The areas investigated all concern the early Iron Age (starting from the 10th century BC) with some evidence of a previous presence in the Final Bronze Age (11th-10th century BC) and are referable to cultic-type contexts connected to temple structures ( respectively megaron temple, well temple, “rotunda”). The investigations were carried out with ministerial concession, in agreement with the Superintendence and the relevant Municipalities.

Iloi. Between the beginning of June and the end of July, the works made it possible to significantly expand the excavation surface, to highlight new structures and some rows of the powerful bastion of the complex nuraghe, previously hidden by the earthy deposit. The remains of a cult building have emerged as well as ceramic materials from the early Iron Age that are not local, imitative or of near-eastern origin. The hypothesis of the cultic destination of many identified buildings is strengthened, closely connected to metallurgical activities and integrated into a sanctuary complex. The works of the Iloi Archaeological Project are directed by Anna Depalmas, assisted in the field by Marta Pais, Veronica Ortu, Rossana Conti, doctoral students of the Culture, Literature, Rights, Tourism and Territory course.

SOS Muros. Between May and June, research in the sanctuary with sacred well of Sos Muros revealed a circular structure a short distance from the temple, probably abandoned following a fire that destroyed its roof. Inside, artefacts functional to spinning and weaving, and ceramics for the preparation and consumption of food. Furthermore, the perimeter of the large circular building of approximately 12 meters in diameter was highlighted, very close to the well (work direction Giovanna Fundoni, assisted by Matteo Pischedda).

Ponte Dualchi. In July in the Nuraghe Ponte di Dualchi the investigations were concentrated inside the large elliptical building located in line with the entrance to the nuraghe, divided into two separate rooms. The materials found are both ceramic and bronze and confirm the layout and the first phase of life of the structure between the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age (work direction Claudio Bulla, assisted by Gerolamo Barra) .

In conjunction with the excavation activities in July, a Summer School of archeology was organized in the Sedilo Territory Museum, divided into six meetings open to students and businesses, in line with the actions planned as part of Spoke 2 - e.INS (PNRR), to citizens in the broad sense and to the non-professional public.