Origine e sviluppo dei centri urbani punici di Sardegna fino all‘età della romanizzazione

During Carthage’s rule over Sardinia from the 6th century to 241 B. C. many urban centres emerged such as Sant’Imbenia, Tharros, Othoca, Neapolis, Sulcis, Monte Sirai, Cagliari, Nora, Bithia, Paniloriga, Cuccureddus, and Olbia. None of them was designed to an orthogonal grid, however. Written sources are consulted first, followed by a description of topography, urban organisation, defences, and private houses. The third chapter deals with temples and cults, the fourth with graves, an important feature being tophets, cultic precincts to Baal and Tanit. All stratigraphies and excavation reports were reconsidered in order to challenge reconstructions and datings. For the 8th century Sant’Imbenia gives best evidence with several stages of colonisation and a mixed population of locals and Phoenicians. The 7th century preferred cremation, the 6th/5th century saw necropoleis with Punic inhumations in hypogea, chamber tombs, fossae or vessels, Phoenician partial cremations, and ritual buildings. From Late Punic Times [4th/3rd century] there are fortifications, houses, and Hellenistic cremations, from Roman Times temples and settlements. A marked break between the Phoenician and Punic phases was not found.