Sardinia, scarab found in the Ruinas nuraghe in Arzana, probably related to ancient Phoenicia

In Sardinia, during recent archaeological investigations conducted at the Ruinas Nuraghe in Arzana, a valuable scarab has emerged in the area in front of the well. The excavation activities, which are still ongoing and are part of the larger project for the study and restoration of the Nuraghe and the Village of Ruinas, are conducted by the Soprintendenza Archeologia, belle arti e paesaggio for the provinces of Sassari and Nuoro in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, belle arti e paesaggio for the metropolitan city of Cagliari and the provinces of Oristano and South Sardinia. The scientific direction is entrusted to archaeological officer Enrico Dirminti, who is currently deepening the study of the find, while the operational direction to archaeologist Demis Murgia; the material execution of the interventions is carried out by Antonio Vacca’s company Trowel.

The scarab, which can be attributed to theIron Age, is made of steatite and has engravings in hieroglyphic characters at its base. Its provenance is most likely to be traced to the Eastern Mediterranean area, particularly the context ofancient Phoenicia, corresponding to present-day Lebanon.

The find, which occurred about eight kilometers away as the crow flies from the site ofS’Arcu ’e is Forros, in the territory of Villagrande Strisaili, where another similar specimen was discovered, and which is in addition to the scarab from the Nurdole nuraghe between Orani and Nuoro, helps to delineate the routes of trade between Sardinia and the Mediterranean. These routes would later also be traced by the transhumance routes, the central theme of the project of which this intervention is a part, promoted by the former Regional Secretariat of Sardinia, now merged into the Soprintendenza Archeologia, belle arti e paesaggio for the metropolitan city of Cagliari and the provinces of Oristano and South Sardinia, under the responsibility of Eleonora Fiorentino.

The find is currently undergoing conservation work and non-invasive diagnostic investigations at the Li Punti Restoration and Conservation Center of the Superintendence of Sassari and Nuoro, under the direction of conservation restorer officer Sofia Bertolini. Upon completion of the study and conservation activities, the scarab will be presented to the public and its future display will be considered.

Sardinia, scarab found in the Ruinas nuraghe in Arzana, probably related to ancient Phoenicia

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