Gesturi

Several sites in Gesturi area, a center of Marmilla region on the slopes of Giara, testify the human presence since the Neolithic.

The site of Sa Ucca ‘e su Pauli dates back to this period, displaying abundant ceramic and obsidian remains, interpreted as a settlement and obsidian processing station. In the same area, there are traces of a funerary destination, with a menhir and a dolmen, as well as domus de janas.

Several nuraghe scattered throughout the area date back to the Bronze Age. The most significant is the Nuragic complex of Bruncu Maduli or Bruncu Madugui, consisting of an irregularly shaped protonuraghe (early type of nuraghe) disposed on two levels, and a Late Bronze Age village with “block” huts, that is, with up to 16 rooms overlooking an internal courtyard. The floors were paved, and the huts featured niches and fireplaces.
Other nuraghes include Taro and Bruncu Cristolu, with its adjoining village, also populated during the Punic, Roman, and Late Antiquity periods.

The giants’ tombs of Ollasteddu also date back to the same Nuragic period: among them is noteworthy the so-called Scussorgiu tomb.

Punic presence is also documented in the locality of Cuccuru Ruinas, where a settlement survived during the Imperial period.

The same area also hosts Imperial Roman-era pit tombs with closely packed stones used as markers.

The bronze votive statuette exhibited at the National Museums of Cagliari, depicting a dancing Lares, wearing a short tunic and closed footwear, also dates back to the Roman period.

 

 

Picture: Giara (credits Filippo Aroffo, via Wikimedia Commons)