Dating techniques through the characterization of materials. XVI century South Sardinian Coast defense towers

The object of this study are some towers situated in the area of Cagliari, belonging to the Sardinia coast defense system realized between the Sixteenth and the beginning of the Seventeenth century. This architectural assembly, very rich and articulated, is full of historical and cultural significance, being the expression of traditional human activities. Having lost the role in our society since the XIX century, it is actually in a progressive state of degradation. Starting by this preamble with the purpose of warranting a better preservation and management of similar cultural heritage examples, the contribution illustrates the methodology adopted which follows an interdisciplinary approach, integrating historical-archaeometrical and scientific tools. On one hand, the constructions have been explored from an architectural point of view, using the chrono-typological analysis of masonries by showing their structural aspects and the executive modalities for their setup. Metric and photographic surveys supported by drawings highlighted the constructive peculiarities of the masonries analyzed. On the other hand, they have been studied through mineralogical-petrographic and geochemical methods for the characterization of stone materials used, and by the analysis of plasters and mortars, to define their main features and to try to identify the provenance area of the materials used. This contribution is part of a more comprehensive study and it refers especially to the Su Perdusemini tower, situated in Cagliari.