A fascinating journey through the origins of archaeology in Sardinia and the first major discoveries related to the Nuragic civilization. On Friday, November 7, at 4:00 PM, at the Giovanni Lilliu Center in Barumini, as part of the 11th edition of the Sardinia Cultural Tourism Expo, the catalog for the exhibition "Nuragic Sardinia. Excavations and Discoveries between the 19th and 20th Centuries," edited by Gianfranca Salis, will be presented.
This volume represents the natural complement to the exhibition hosted in Barumini, which retraced—through artifacts, documents, and period images—over a century of research and excavations dedicated to the Nuragic civilization.
This meticulous work recounts not only the archaeological discoveries but also the birth of the state institutions responsible for protecting heritage, providing a glimpse into an era when Sardinia was embracing modernity amidst enthusiasm, hardship, and a pioneering spirit.
Among the central figures in the story is Antonio Taramelli, an extraordinarily modern archaeologist and scholar who, at the beginning of the twentieth century, laid the foundations for a scientific research method and a new way of understanding the valorization of cultural heritage, involving local communities in the knowledge and care of their sites.
Curator Gianfranca Salis takes up and renews this approach, offering a reflection on the living connection between archaeology, identity, and territory: a theme that runs throughout the catalogue and makes it a valuable tool for scholars and enthusiasts.
Speakers at the meeting will include Elena Anna Boldetti, ABAP Superintendent for the metropolitan city of Cagliari and the provinces of Oristano and Southern Sardinia; Emanuele Lilliu, president of the Barumini Sistema Cultura Foundation; and Monica Stochino, ABAP Superintendent for the provinces of Sassari and Nuoro.
Riccardo Cicilloni, professor at the University of Cagliari, will introduce the event, and Matteo Tatti, archaeologist, will coordinate the discussion. Authors Gianfranca Salis, Massimo Casagrande, Tiziana Chillotti, Alberto Mossa, Anna Piga, Federico Porcedda, and Lidia Puddu will also be present.