Corpo Pagina
Iglesias area, in the South-West of Sardinia, shows traces of human habitation since prehistoric times. The oldest human remains date back to the Early Neolithic, with open-air and cave settlements located on hilltops such as Colle di N.S. del Buon Cammino, Colle di Pizzu ‘e Pudda, Colle di Monte Altari and Colle di Crucueddu.
The underground necropolis of San Benedetto, consisting of domus de janas, dating back to the transition between the Middle and Late Neolithic periods, belongs to a yet-to-be-identified settlement. Tomb I yielded a collective burial with the remains of over 30 individuals belonging to an endogamous community.
In the karst area of Corongiu de Mari, several caves testify to intense occupation during the Copper Age (Monte Claro Culture), including the Second Cave of Seddas de Daga (used for funerary purposes), the Cave of Cuccuru Tiria, the ravine of Monte Tintillonis, and Grotta della Volpe.
Dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages are dozens of nuraghes (such as the Nuraghe Genna Luas) and religious architecture related to the cult of water, including the well temple of Serra Abis.
The mountainous area bordering the Iglesiente basin and Campidano region saw the presence of the Matzanni cult complex (with three sacred wells and various other structures) and, in the Punic period, the nearby temple of Genna Cantoni, built in opus quadratum and crowning ashlars with an Egyptian gorge.
A vast Roman mining and agricultural settlement (both Republican and Imperial) arose on the plain between Corongiu and Tanì, identified as early as the 19th century by Canon Giovanni Spano, who described the “ruins of a notable and ancient city.”
Intense lead and silver mining was the economic driving force of the area. Ancient sources (Itinerarium Antonini) mention the mining center of Metalla, whose precise location is still disputed, but is likely located in the area between the territories of Iglesias and Fluminimaggiore (near the Antas Valley).
Featured image: Cathedral of Santa Chiara, Iglesias
