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Monte Sirai
39.1800° N, 8.4861° E
About
Monte Sirai is an archaeological site near Carbonia, in the province of South Sardinia, Sardinia, Italy. It is a settlement built at the top of a hill by the Phoenicians of Sulci (today's Sant'Antioco). The history of studies in Monte Sirai has a very precise date: the fall of 1962, when a local boy casually found a female figure carved on a stele of the tophet. Following further inspections, in August 1963, the local Soprintendenza and the Institute of Near Eastern Studies of the Sapienza University of Rome started excavations, leading to a fairly comprehensive study of the entire town.
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Site abandonment
c. 110 BC
Constantinian-period coins found
4th century CE
Fortification reinforcement
c. 375 BC
Carthaginian takeover
6th century BC
Phoenician settlement attested
c. 730 BC
Tophet stele discovery
fall 1962
Systematic excavations begin
August 1963
Astarte statue discovered
1964
Ancient DNA study published
2018
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Defensive Structures
Burial and Funerary Structures
Religious and Ritual Structures
Artistic and Decorative Features
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information
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