Travel guide

centuries, will proceed unremittingly even during the period of Vandalic
domination, between 455 and 534. In the latter year, the legions of
Justinian, as part of the African campaign, re-conquer Sardinia, which
becomes again part of the territories of the Roman Empire and
experiences, between the VI and X century, a different historical destiny
from that of the other Italic territories and of the Occident in general. In
fact, it is not occupied by Germanic populations, it does not become part
of the Carolingian domains, and it maintains an uninterrupted politicaladministrative
dependence on the Byzantine empire. The archaeological
site of Nora has returned most ancient traces, spanning from the
colonisation of the area in the Nuragic Age to the first part of the Middle
Ages, when the town was abandoned. According to tradition, Nora is
believed to be the most ancient town in Sardinia. Starting from about the
VIII century, the Phoenician colonization placed Nora at the centre of
important commercial routes: this is testified by its three ports, today
mostly submersed. Attributable to this period are also a sanctuary, in the
area of the promontory of Coltellazzo, and a living and trading site,
located underneath the Roman levels of the excavation. Later, in the Punic
Age, Nora further increased its importance by reaching a high level of
prosperity and undoubtedly becoming one of the most influent towns of
the southern Sardinian coast. The remaining buildings of clear Punic origin
are only a few, though: the temple of Tanit, the remains of the fortification
on the Coltellazzo, the foundry, and the remains of trellis walls in the
lower levels of the seaside area. Whereas its funeral objects testify to the
fervour of activities and trade exchanges of the time. The tombs have
returned extensive sets of ceramics of either local production or imported
from Greece, as well as charms, jewels in precious metals, and other
ornamental objects of personal use. In 238 B.C.E., Roman domination
begins. The finds brought back to light date mostly to the Imperial period.
Clearly distinguishable are four thermal buildings, floor mosaics, a
remarkable small theatre of the II century A.C.E. (still well preserved), and
some villas located not far away from the actual urban area. The dwellings
of the average people were small, generally comprising only one room on
the ground floor and a wooden mezzanine on the upper floor, used for
sleeping. In the VIII–IX century A.C.E., following a longer period of decline
started in the IV–V century when, because of the crisis of the Roman
empire, (maritime transports became insecure and the whole area too
47