Punic jar burial necropolis found in Sardinia

A Punic necropolis from the 4th or 3rd century B.C. has been discovered during gas pipeline works in Sestu, Sardinia. So far the excavation has unearthed six amphorae containing osteological remains, probably of very young children.

These are what are known in modern scholarship as enchytrismos (after the Greek for “putting a newborn in a clay pot”) burials. It was a widespread and long-lasting funerary practice throughout the Mediterranean world from the 8th B.C. well into the Roman Imperial era. Enchytrismos burials are found in Punic settlements from the second half of the 6th century B.C. until the early 4th century B.C. The Punic practice was to cut the amphora in half lengthwise, place the deceased inside, then fitted the cut half on top like a sarcophagus lid. If they were burying an adult, two amphora would be cut off at the shoulder and vertically to accommodate the larger body.

The first amphora at Sestu was discovered at the beginning of February by gas utility crews in a trench dug into the paved roadway. They called in the archaeologist supervising construction who triggered an official excavation of the find site. Punic expert archaeologist Enrico Trudu from the Archaeological Superintendence of Cagliari is leading the excavation.

“In some of [the six amphorae] we recovered there were human bones, bones that were also found in various places around. There is no doubt that the context is funerary. There is also a pit that we are going to investigate, as we are working along the entire trench starting from the most exposed points that we will then expand.” The site could therefore still reserve many surprises, even if this discovery is not entirely unexpected. “The area is not far from that of Moriscau,” Trudu explains, “where there is an archaeological settlement already subject to restrictions, so it was likely to expect something interesting here too.” However, it seems it will not be possible to proceed with a massive excavation campaign. “The trench is inside a roadway and all around there are industrial and commercial warehouses,” concludes the expert. “It will be impossible to investigate the entire necropolis but it is important to analyze and secure the parts and finds that have come to light, also to have an idea of what could be found in the case of future public works.”

For now, the site is being guarded by police and videocameras to keep would-be looters from interfering with it. The gas works are continuing in another area while archaeologists complete the excavation of the trench.

* This article was originally published here