Exploring the Ancient City of Nora, its History & Archaeology

As we can see in the map above, a view of the Roman city, the coastline was noticeably different to what it is today. Consequently, some features have not only become submerged but some have been lost to the erosive action of the waves of the Mediterranean Sea for almost 2,000 years. For example, the structures of the port are now entirely submerged. The Christian basilica is, as you will see, only partly submerged.

Unlike Roman founded colonies, Nora does not have the regular street layout the Roman are known for. This is because the Roman plan of the city was greatly influenced by the earlier phases of habitation. It was once thought that it was the Nuraghe peoples who first settled here. More specifically it was long believed that the low hill, referred to as the High Place of Tanit, had a simple Nuraghe. Not an unlikely idea as there are a number Nuraghe nearby. Recent archaeological excavations of the hilltop, however, did not produce any evidence for such a structure.

The earliest archaeological evidence for people living at Nora dates to the end of the 7th century BC. Beneath the Roman forum archaeologists found traces of a series of post holes (over 150 of them) that they believe were used to erect tents, or some other perishable structures. It is thought that these are the remnants of a seasonal camp set up for short-term, commercial purposes by Phoenicians trading across the Mediterranean. And so Nora, and the island, became part of a commercial network that linked Sardinia to the east via the trade of metals and other raw materials.

When the Carthaginians conquered the island in 509 BC, Nora became an important port city on lucrative trade routes. At this time we start to see evidence of urban planning, with districts set aside for commercial and residential functions. Warehouses were built, as were artisans workshops. The system of roads was established for the transport of trade goods and grain, as well as stone brought from nearby quarries. The development of necropolises and three sacred areas attest to the importance and wealth of the port. The three sacred places would be elaborated further during the Roman phase of the city.

In 238 BC Sardinia became part of the Roman territory following the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage. Although there was a decisive change in the political and civic administration of Nora and the island more generally, there were no radical or abrupt changes experienced by the inhabitants of Nora. Existing institutions and traditions were not immediately replaced by Rome. Rather, the archaeological evidence suggests a peaceful process of integration between the Punic population of Nora and the new ruling class. From this time, in what is now called the Roman Temple but then would have been a Punic structure observing Punic traditions, archaeologists recovered what is thought to have been a votive offering consisting of a hoard of 18 Greek and Roman silver coins and a terracotta mask. The coins date to  between 230 and 225 BC. This religious gesture was probably made following the establishment of the Roman Republican province Sardinia et Corsica in 227 BC. 

Noticeable changes to the city’s urban layout occurred later in the Republican Age when the city was given the status of Municipium in the 1st century BC. The first major public building to be constructed, between 40 and 20 BC, was the forum. The work involved clearing an area of 3,000 square metres, including the destruction of Punic era warehouses that were still in use at the time.

Construction of monumental public projects continued into the Imperial Age. See the inscribed architrave found in the Sant’Efisio Church and now on display in the National Archaeological Museum in Cagliari (below). Two notable projects, that may be as early as the Augustan period, are the theatre and amphitheatre. Nora would be the only Roman town to have both important public structures. But it was the end of the 2nd century BC and the beginning of the 3rd that Nora flourished most. The archaeological record shows a sharp increase of ceramic imports. But this is also the period that saw the most significant period of construction: the system of roads and sub-pavement sewages was carried out, the aqueduct was built, as were thee of the four known public bath complexes. The port and commercial districts were expanded, while temples were restored and/or rebuilt. It was during this period that rich domus were constructed, such as the ‘Tetrastyle Atrium House’ with its exquisite mosaic floors. Building work carried on into the 4th century AD. Most areas saw expansion, and some new buildings were erected. The Eastern Bath House was either modified in the 4th century or built new as part of the expansion  in the eastern part of the city.  

The fortunes of the city changed dramatically in the 6th century, the Byzantine phase. Although the there is evidence of new building, it is mostly restoration or changing the function of the building. The seaside bath house appears to have been converted for defensive purposes, while the small bath house appears to have been converted into a craft workshop. Little is known of the abandonment of Nora, but the lack of effective defensive structures meant the town succumbed to the effects of Arabs raiding in these parts at this time. The anonymous 7th century writer of Cosmographia referred to Nora as a praesidium – a place of military defence. A major fire in the 8th century at he seaside bath house resulted in the vaults collapsing. Thereafter there is no evidence for any activity at Nora. The stone was carried off for building works in nearby Pula, and nearby Sant’Efisio Church. Other than that, the site became the haunt of shepherds and farmers.