Tuvixeddu Necropolis – Cagliari, Italy - Atlas Obscura

Tuvixeddu Necropolis

Cagliari, Italy

The worlds largest Punic necropolis 

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The necropolis of Tuvixeddu  is the largest Punic necropolis  in the Mediterranean. It is located in a hill within the city of Cagliari, Sardinia. The Carthaginians used the site between the 6th and 3rd centuries BCE to bury their dead. The  burial chambers were accessed through a well dug into the solid limestone (from 6 to 66 feet deep). From the well bottom a small opening entered to the burial chamber. The burial chambers were ornately decorated and there were many tomb goods such as amphorae and ampoules for various essences. Of note among the Punic tombs are the “Uraeus Tomb” and the “Fighter Tomb”, decorated with paintings of palm trees and masks which are still well preserved. 

On the slopes of the Tuvixeddu hill there is a later Roman  necropolis, which overlooked the road at the exit of the city. The Roman necropolis consists mainly of arched recesses or arcosolium tombs and columbaria (used for storage of cremation ashes).

The site opened to the public in May 2014. The archaeological area is extensive, it originally consisted of an area of about 200 acres.

Know Before You Go

Opening times are January/March 06.00 am - 9.00 pm, April/September 05.30 am 10.30pm,  October/December 06.30 am - 10.00 pm. Admission is free.

 

The site can get very hot so take water.