Just a few kilometers from Isili, in the territory of Serri, lies one of the most important archaeological sites on the island. Spanning approximately 3 hectares, the site occupies part of the Giara di Serri, a basalt plateau standing 622 meters above sea level, similar in geological features to the Giara di Gesturi but much smaller in size.
The site’s name derives from the small Romanesque church dedicated to Santa Vittoria, located near the sacred well. The current church, dating to the 11th-12th century, was built over an earlier Byzantine church dedicated to Santa Maria della Vittoria. The sanctuary itself comprises several religious structures, the most notable being the Sacred Well, a central feature of the area. This ancient site dates back to the Bronze Age, around 1500 BCE. It was expanded and beautified during the Nuragic era and abandoned around the 9th century BCE for reasons still unclear. However, its use as a place of worship continued during the Roman period when it was plundered and partially destroyed by Roman forces. Roman outposts were later established in the Giara di Serri, leaving additional traces, and in the Byzantine era, the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria was constructed.
The sanctuary was dedicated to ancient deities, hinted at by archaeological findings. Researchers believe in the presence of a male deity associated with the bull and a female deity linked to water worship. Animal sacrifices were part of the rituals performed here, as evidenced by numerous remains found across the site. Additionally, the sanctuary likely held political and commercial significance, serving as a meeting point for various communities during religious gatherings.
The history of the site’s excavation is also noteworthy. The first archaeological campaign began in 1909 under Antonio Taramelli, then Superintendent of Antiquities for Sardinia. Taramelli led further excavations in 1919-20 and 1922-29. Unsurprisingly, the site yielded a wealth of significant artifacts, including numerous bronze statuettes, now preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Cagliari.
