Storie di vite interrotte. Sepolture infantili a Nora tra tofet e necropoli

The controversial nature of the tofet sanctuaries has been a prominent topic in Phoenician and Punic archaeology, with much research focusing on the significance of the funerary and ritual relationship between these sanctuaries and the necropoles at Phoenician-Punic sites of the Central Mediterranean. Recent studies have suggested the foundation of the Nora’s tofet between the end of 6th century and the beginning of 5th century BC; therefore, later than the collective inhumation tomb (T26), dating from the middle to the end of 6th century BC. This tomb, brought to light through the excavation campaigns at the Western Phoenician and Punic necropolis at Nora in 2019, yielded sub-adult remains exclusively. Considering differences and affinities with other Sardinian sites, the present paper explores the dichotomous relationship between tofet and necropolis during the complex transition to the Punic dominion of the Island, coupling new archaeological evidence of infant and child burials at Nora with the osteological examination of these remains.