Giba

The territory of Giba, the center of Sulcis region, which, jointly with its hamlet Villarios, has a population of approximately 2,000, has been inhabited since the Neolithic.

Near the town, in the locality of Sa Perda Morta, the remains of a domus de janas necropolis have been unearthed: unfortunately, only one burial remains. Another domus de janas is Su Narboni de is Gannaus, consisting of two quadrangular rooms, one with engraved decorations, preceded by a wide access corridor.

Several archaeological remains are preserved in Giba area dating back to the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Nuragic civilization.
One of the most important is the Nuragic complex of Is Meurras, on the border between the territory of the towns of Tratalias, Giba, and San Giovanni Suergiu. It consists of a complex nuraghe, with a central elliptical keep and four towers – only one of which is almost complete, with two floors – joined by a rampart walk. The village developed around it and some circular and rectangular stone huts still remain visible. Nearby are also some giants’ tombs and a well temple. The area has yielded Nuragic and Phoenician finds, revealing an interesting picture of cohabitation between indigenous and eastern peoples.
Other nuraghes include Villarios and Brughitta, which, together with Rubiu, controlled the passage from the sea to the interior, the drainage basin of Rio Palmas, and the rich metal deposits. Rubiu complex nuraghe also features a village with about ten huts.
Then there are the giants’ tomb of Su Estrai and the Nuragic hut of Su Solu.

Dating back to the Roman period there are some residential and thermal structures in the locality of San Pietro di Tului, dating back to the imperial era, and the remains of a probable rustic villa in the locality of Bettiana. The structure, dating between the 1st and 4th centuries AD, is constructed by large blocks of local ignimbrite, likely quarried from a nearby quarry, already in use at that time.
A Roman imperial-era tank, used for decanting liquids during the winemaking process, was incorporated into the medieval church of San Pietro di Giba. The wine tank may have belonged to a rustic villa.
 

Picture: railway station of Villarios (ph. Alex10 – commons.wikimedia)