A storm surge in the late 19th century led to the rediscovery of the archaeological site of Nora, in the municipality of Pula. Now, another storm, triggered by Cyclone Harry, is putting part of those same seafront ruins at risk, battered by waves up to six meters high. The Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for Southern Sardinia has already conducted an inspection to assess the damage and will prepare a detailed report in the coming hours.
The first images arriving from the archaeological site—one of the most important in the Mediterranean, home to Sardinia's oldest city, with traces dating back to the 7th century BC— show that part of the remains have been submerged. Archaeologists will now be tasked with identifying the damaged area and assessing the possibility of restoration.
The Region and the Municipality have already been to the site and it appears that the storm surge hit the area where the Sanctuary of Aesculapius stands on the southern tip of the isthmus.
News of possible damage to the archaeological site—originally Phoenician in origin but transformed and expanded over the centuries by the Carthaginians and then the Romans—was released by Cagliari Prefect Paola Dessì during an inspection of Poetto beach with the head of the Civil Protection Department, Fabio Ciciliano, and Governor Alessandra Todde. "We don't yet know the extent of this damage, but the Superintendency has already begun assessing potential interventions," said the provincial government representative.
Cyclone Harry not only devastated the archaeological area—known throughout Italy for hosting theatrical and cultural events in the Roman theater during the summer—it also damaged the nearby, renowned beach, now partially eroded, and the embankment above it that connects the parking area to the ruins.
In the middle is the ancient church built on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Efisio, whose feast day is celebrated on May 1st with a riot of color and tradition, right between Cagliari and Pula. Meanwhile, archaeologists are at work a few kilometers west on the same coast, on the Chia shoreline at Domus de Maria, where the strong storm surge has uncovered two tombs and several archaeological finds, including amphorae and vases from the Phoenician period. The remains were immediately cordoned off by the Carabinieri, the first to respond to the area.
(Unioneonline)