SISTEMI DI APPROVVIGIONAMENTO IDRICO NEGLI INSEDIAMENTI PUNICO-ROMANI DELLA SARDEGNA: IL CASO DI NORA

The thesis has as object of analysis water supply systems in Punic-Roman settlement of Sardinia, with a particular attention to the ancient city of Nora. The work is structured along three main lines of research: the first covered this category of artifacts built in major ancient sites and within the Sardinia’s territory (Cagliari, Tharros, Olbia, S. Antioco, Monte Sirai, Porto Torres, Neapolis, Fordongianus). The second, more specific, focused on the same systems built inside the site of Nora, providing a comprehensive picture of the main similarities and differences regarding building technology, architectural elements, materials of construction, chronologies of the 89 cisterns and 27 wells; in addition, this synthesis was completed with the data concerning the city aqueduct, which, starting from the Roman middle-imperial period, played an important role in city’s water supply, fueling public facilities (baths and fountains), and maybe even some private houses. The third has focused on the possibility of using the element "water" by the ancient population, following a transversal and multi-disciplinary approach, which involved subjects such as geology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, climatology; based on the volumetric capacity of wells and cisterns, an attempt has been made to reconstruct the possibility of using the precious resource during the life of the city, referring to rainfall, to the underground aquifer and to demographics. The purpose of the research is, first, to give a full analysis of every building and technical aspects of Nora's water structures; secondly, to help understand specific urban, demographic, historical and social choices and developments, made by ancient population based on available water resources.