Funtana Coberta, in ballaese Crobeta, is among the best-known Sacred Wells in Sardinia and dates back to the 11th century BC. Its excellent condition and architectural elegance justify its inclusion among the 32 sites on the Tentative List for UNESCO recognition.
The monument was studied by Taramelli back in 1918. Excavation essays in 1994 hinted at the presence of a sacred area and probable craft workshops, attesting to a context datable between the Final Bronze and Early Iron Age phases (12th-9th centuries B.C.) and whose frequentation continued at least until the Imperial Roman period. The 2016 campaign, supervised by Dr. Manunza, highlighted the Nuragic village and allowed the recovery of important artifacts. These include a warrior’s head with a horned helmet, a bronze dagger, and various other bronze fragments kept in an urn and to be destined for casting.
The recently completed excavation campaign confirmed the extension of the village northward. Land contiguous to the site was acquired to realize the art parking lot. Next stops for the studies will still be Funtana Crobeta, the Nuraxi-II Tomb of Giants and the Santa Crara site. The latter is evidence of three civilizations: the Nuragic holy well, the Roman necropolis, and Byzantine remains.
