Location of the initiative:
ITALY
Relation to Strategy 21 Recommendations:
Brief description of the initiative:
The Nuragic civilization dominated Sardinia for centuries, from the Bronze Age (1800 BC) to the 2nd century AD. The name derives from its most characteristic monuments, the nuraghe, consisting of tower-fortresses, and even today some 7,000 nuraghes can be seen in the Sardinian landscape. Another element in the Nuragic culture was sculptures such as those found in 1974 in a field at Monte Prama in western Sardinia. These 5178 stone fragments, equivalent to 9140 kg, were excavated by the Archaeological Superintendence of Cagliari. Their substantial quantity (25 standing figures, 13 models), dimensions (2 meters in height, 300 kg in weight) and quality make them one of the most important archaeological collections unearthed in the whole western Mediterranean region. Out of the 5178 fragments, 1202 were reassembled into 5 archers, 4 warriors, 16 boxers and 13 nuraghe models.
Objectives of the initiative:
The project was a multidisciplinary effort aimed at bringing together conservation, museology, public engagement, community involvement and communication on a regional, national and international level.
Brief assessment of the initiative’s results:
The jigsaw puzzle of reassembling the pieces, without any deep penetration of the original stone, and avoiding the use of drills or insertion of different materials, allows for the possibility of modifications and additions in the future on the images of the statues. All the restoration operations have been realized openly, with the opportunity for the public to visit the on-going works. The importance for the local population is clear, and enhances their identity with people who have preceded them on this big island.
Online resources:
Contact:
Dr. Roberto Nardi
[email protected]
