The Urban and rural landscapes in punic and roman northwest sardinia: persistences, cultural interactions and rituals

The Nurra is a region located in the northwest of Sardinia, characterized in ancient times by a strong anthropization and a remarkable cultural stratification. The only urban center of some importance is the Colonia Iulia Turris Libisonis, whose foundation is attributed to Caesar, located in the territory of Porto Torres. The fertile hinterland of the town is characterized, during the Punic and Roman times, by the presence of numerous rural villages that seem to bear witness to an agricultural exploitation of the land. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the characteristics of human groups living in this territory between the Hellenistic period and the Roman Empire, in order to emphasize the elements of continuity and change. This will be done through the analysis of some cultural indicators, such as the types of settlement for agriculture and craftsmanship, the religious denominations and the funeral ceremonies adopted.