Sardinia emerges as pivotal trading hub of the Bronze Age

The ancient island of Sardinia, located in the western Mediterranean, became a significant trading center around 3,300 years ago. Investigations by archaeologists from five European countries have revealed that during this period, Sardinia linked various regions, including Britain, Scandinavia, Spain, and Portugal to eastern locations such as Turkey, Syria, Israel, Cyprus, and Crete. The island, rich in copper ore, transformed into a dominant mercantile power as copper was a vital component for making high-quality bronze. This development led to the emergence of an extraordinary civilization characterized by over 10,000 high-status stone buildings, many of which are still standing today, showcasing the island's architectural might. Sardinia's Nuragic culture not only influenced the Mediterranean circuit but also directly impacted the economies of regions like Britain and Scandinavia. Recent evidence has demonstrated that British tin was transported to Sardinia, where it combined with Mediterranean copper, revealing the intricacies of this trade network. The English Channel acted as a passage for transporting goods back and forth, proving that different parts of this network flourished mutually. Excavations at St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall have uncovered remnants of Bronze Age settlements that likely pertained to this trading activity. Moreover, Sardinia is presumed to have had military engagements, including piracy, which notably involved conflicts with Egypt. Some evidence suggests that Sardinia attracted the attention of notable figures, such as Egyptian pharaohs who viewed the islanders as formidable warriors, even recruiting them as bodyguards. Although Sardinia emerged as a pivotal trading hub, the autonomy of regional trade routes remains uncertain. It’s unclear whether merchants from Sardinia traded directly with Britain or if raw materials were traded through intermediary mariners from Cornish, French, or Iberian counties. Intriguingly, there exists a rock-cut tomb in Orkney, Scotland, which exhibits characteristics parallel to Sardinian designs, hinting at the possibility of ancient interactions between the two locales. Ongoing research continues to unveil the complexity of Sardinia’s ancient maritime trade, with contributions from various universities shedding light on these crucial historical connections.