The Phoenicians at Nora

PHOENICIAN WATCH: This ancient city in Sardinia was home to pirates—and is an archaeology lover’s dream. Nora doesn’t have the name recognition—or crowds—of Pompeii. But the well-preserved coastal settlement offers travelers a rare glimpse into the lives of the pirates, Vandals, Romans, Phoenicians, and Carthaginians who once laid claim to it (Hannah Singleton, National Geographic).

Perched at the edge of a narrow peninsula in southern Sardinia, the ancient city of Nora is exposed to the elements. Wind, sun, salty air, and for centuries, even pirates. From every vantage point of the port city, residents and visitors can take in views of the Mediterranean Sea, which made Nora a thriving trade hub during the 8th century B.C. ...

What makes Nora special is what’s happening beneath your feet. Since it was unearthed in 1952, archaeologists have continued to excavate the site’s historic connections to Romans, Phoenicians, and Carthaginians. Some of the artifacts from the site (like an inscribed stone known as the Nora Stele) are on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Cagliari.

For a possible connection between the Phoenician Nora Stone Inscription and the biblical site (?) of Tarshish, see here. And there are other Phoenician remains at Nora.

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