Geomorfología y cambio ambiental en el entorno de los yacimientos púnicos de la llanura de Terralba (Golfo de Oristano, isla de Cerdeña, Italia)

Abstract

We report a geomorphological study of the coastal plain of Terralba (SW coast of the island of Sardinia, Italy) in order to contextualize the high concentration of Punic rural settlements and analyze the environmental changes. The methodology is based on a detailed geomorphological study and sedimentological analysis of several records from different environments in artificial cuts and cores (chronology from archaeological remains and 14C dating). The study was also completed with information from various cartographic sources, and historical and geoarchaeological data. The Punic sites are located on a wide alluvial plain, modelled by aeolian sand mantles and wetlands, between the floodplain of the Sitzerri-Mannu and Mogoro rivers. Extensive aeolian units (Holocene and Pleistocene) are the most characteristic features of the geomorphology of the area. The results provide useful information on the environmental context of the Punic settlements on the coastal plain of Terralba, while evidence of significant geomorphological and environmental changes were found for over two millennia affecting the coastline, lagoon, marsh, aeolian and fluviodeltaic environments. The emergence of fresh water in the “paulis” or small depressions interspersed between dunes and well-drained soils suitable for cultivation have been a factor in the settlement of Punic farms.