The earliest evidences of life in Monte Sirai area date back to the Neolithic Age when the Domus de Janas, situated not far from the punic necropolis, were dug.
Nuraghe Sirai
At the moment it is still unknown the place where the earliest Neolithic dwellings stood. During the Nuragic Age was built the Nuraghe Sirai, a complex nuraghe situated at the foot of the hill with an important village around it. Other lookout nuragic towers (Nuraxeddu, Nuraghe Piliu and others) were erected along the slopes of Monte Sirai; one of them, located just on the plateau, was included in the temple of the earliest town, founded by Phoenicians around 720 B.C..
Remains from the Phoenician necropolis
The settlers who came from the ancient Sulci (or from a neighbouring settlement recently discovered near Portoscuso), lived in Monte Sirai together with a numerous community of Sardinians till about 520 B.C., that is till Carthage occupied Sardinia. Then the Phoenician town of Monte Sirai was destroyed and immediately afterwards it was re-built by the new settlers. They fortified it around 360 B.C.. During the First Punic War, around 250 B.C. the site was totally rebuilt, assuming the actual urbanistic look.
Built-up area with Punic tower
From 238 B.C., Carthaginians, in consequence of various vicissitudes, were forced to cede the rule of Sardinia to Romans. However the Punic people arrived there three centuries before, went on living in the town together with a group of Berber settlers and the old nuragic community.
Northern side of the town
The settlement was suddenly left about 110 B.C. perhaps in consequence of a deportation.
