SARDINIA

   The second-largest island of the Mediterranean, located off the Tyrrhenian coast of central Italy. The island was in close contact with the populations of Etruria during the Villanovan period. Many distinctive Villanovan bronzes (fibulae, axes, and swords) have been found in Sardinia. Correspondingly, many distinctive Sardinian figurative and model boat bronzes have been found in Etruria (e.g., Tarquinia, Vulci, Vetulonia, and Populonia). Nuraghic pottery jugs have been found at Volterra, Massa Marittima, Populonia, Vetulonia, Bisenzio, Vulci, Tarquinia, and Caere. Significantly, this contact preceded Greek trade and substantial Phoenician trade with Etruria, suggesting that there was a phase of local interaction prior to the reopening of contacts with the wider Mediterranean. The later placing of Phoenician colonies in Sardinia and the increase in trade between Phoenicians and Etruria may have brought this direct contact between Etruria and Sardinia into relative decline.