Bronze Model of a Nuragic Boat

This small bronze model represents a type of boat typical of Sardinia. It features a slender and harmonious hull with a flat bottom and straight sides pierced by small square openings. The flat deck has an unusual “X” shape, differing from conventional Sardinian boat models. The decoration is exceptionally rich: remarkable elements include two miniature carts soldered to the sides of the vessel, each drawn by a pair of yoked oxen. Behind the carts were human figures, now lost, while a ram-shaped protome was attached to the prow. Near the bow, two doves are fixed to small masts.

The Nuragic boat model is a unique object, as it reproduces an earlier type of vessel typical of the Nuragic period in Sardinia, dating approximately from the 16th to the 8th century BC. As part of the treasury of the goddess at Capo Colonna, it was most likely a votive offering associated with symbolic values connected to the sea, navigation, and the protection of travelers or fishermen. Despite its small size, the model displays carefully rendered structural details, providing valuable evidence of naval technology and material culture of the period. Moreover, it testifies to the extensive maritime and cultural contacts that reached the sanctuary of Capo Colonna, confirming its role as a key hub of Mediterranean exchange during the Archaic age.