In Bithia, in the Domus de Maria area, "significant damage and emergency situations were observed in the areas adjacent to the coast, which were most exposed to the erosive action of the waves, which reached exceptional strength." In Pula, "the coastal strip suffered significant damage, particularly the eastern and southern exposures."
There is little good news from the report of the inspections carried out by the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the metropolitan city of Cagliari and the provinces of Oristano and Southern Sardinia to assess the damage to archaeological heritage caused by Cyclone Harry.
The first surveys were carried out in the areas of Domus de Maria and Pula, where the municipal administrations reported critical issues in the archaeological sites of Bithia and Nora respectively.
Inspections carried out by the technical staff of the Superintendency in Bithia found significant damage and emergency situations in the portions of the sites adjacent to the coast, which were most exposed to the erosive action of the waves, which reached exceptional strength.
In Bithia
In Bithia, the Superintendency "immediately began an emergency intervention to recover, secure, and conduct archaeological excavations of the areas at risk of loss, and the archaeological team is at work."
The security of the site, the Ministry of Culture announced, "is guaranteed these days thanks to the collaboration with the municipality of Domus de Maria and the police."
The Carabinieri of the Cagliari Heritage Protection Unit, those from the Domus de Maria station, supported by colleagues from stations in neighboring municipalities, and the Forestry Corps, particularly personnel from the Teulada station, "are providing operational support with constant monitoring and patrolling of the area, which has also been equipped with remote surveillance systems." Today, the Carabinieri underwater patrol from Cagliari also intervened "to verify the presence of archaeological materials washed into the sea."
To Nora
At Nora, the site "suffered extensive damage along the coastal strip, particularly along the east- and south-facing stretches, confirming the particular sensitivity of these areas, subject to coastal erosion and at risk of losing their archaeological heritage. Conservation projects are underway, being developed by the Superintendency, the Cagliari Public Works Department, the Municipality of Pula, and the Region." Specifically, "subsidence and landslides were recorded in the area of the Levante Baths, accumulation of stone elements hurled by the waves onto the Roman Forum and the Punic quarter, causing portions of structures to collapse, fallen pine trees uprooting archaeological layers and contexts, as well as damage to the cliff protection system beneath the Temple of Aesculapius."
The controls
Damage assessment and quantification are still ongoing. Superintendency staff are also conducting checks and inspections at other coastal sites in the area to determine any further critical situations.