The Tophet of Bithia (Sardinia). New data from the 2021-2022 excavations of the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

The first archaeological research in Su Cardolinu’s islet (Chia, Domus de Maria – Sardinia), conducted in 1964, has shown that the islet was chosen, at the end of the 7th century BC, as the site for the installation of a sanctuary interpreted as the “Tophet” of the Phoenician settlement of Bithia. Since 1964, the sacred area of Su Cardolinu has not been the subject of specific research projects until 2021, when the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice launched a new archaeological research project. In the framework of the first two research campaigns, a systematic survey of the site and a stratigraphic excavation essay in the area of the “urnfield”, leading to the discovery of several depositions in urns, were carried out. The study of the area of the “shrine” was also started.