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The archaeological evidence of the territory of Teti, a village in Barbagia in the province of Nuoro, is noteworthy. It mostly dates back to the pre-Nuragic and Nuragic eras.
The oldest findings, belonging to a period ranging from the Middle (4800 – 4300 BC) to the Final Neolithic (4000 – 3300 BC), were discovered during the excavations near the Giants’ tomb of Atzadalai. These include various anthropomorphic granite menhirs, stone axes, obsidian arrowheads and flint or obsidian tools used for leather processing. The most important discovery concerns an idol with female features, made of volcanic rock, interpreted as a “sleeping mother goddess” dated back to the Middle Neolithic.
One of the most important Nuragic sites in the whole Sardinia is the sanctuary of Abini, about ten kilometers from the town of Teti; it is believed, due to the abundance of bronze artefacts found on several occasions, that it was a “federal” place of worship and a pilgrimage destination for the various Nuragic family clans that inhabited the island in the early Iron Age. The cults that were practiced had to be linked to water; in fact, the fulcrum is the well temple, closed by an enclosure with stone seats and basins for collecting sacred water. It is still preserved part of the village, located outside the sacred enclosure.
From this site come the findings of numerous votive bronzes, dated between 10th and 7th century BC, depicting a notable variety of subjects: archers, warriors with shield and sword, priestesses, offerers, prayers, tribal chiefs and demon heroes. They, together with swords, spear tips, copper panels, pins and stilettos, quivers and miniature daggers, bronze handles belonging to wooden furnishings and other finds, also from the sanctuary, are currently on display in the Musei Nazionali di Cagliari.
Another place of considerable importance is the nuragic complex of S’Urbale, dating back to a period between the Final Bronze Age and the early Iron Age: in association with the remains of the village, made up of around 50 huts, there are also a nuraghe and a giants’ tomb.
The territory of Teti is characterized by the presence of numerous other archaeological sites, such as the nuraghe Alineddu, Funtana Bona, Istei, Istecori and Turrìa, and the nuragic villages by Su Carrazzu and Su Ballu.
