The University’s Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation has spearheaded a collaboration with the University of Cagliari to host a co-creation workshop to develop restoration and conservation strategies for sites of Nuragic Heritage in Sardinia.
In Spring 2026, the University of Portsmouth’s Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation (CoE-HI), the Portsmouth School of Architecture, Art and Design and the University of Cagliari’s School of Architecture hosted a four day co-creation workshop in Sardinia, focusing on Nuragic Heritage, coordinated by Dr Tarek Teba (CoE-HI, University of Portsmouth), Dr Donatella Rita Fiorino, and Dr Elisa Pilia (both University of Cagliari). This initiative is part of the “Memorandum of Understanding” signed in 2024 between the Universities of Cagliari and Portsmouth. It represents an important opportunity to share research and teaching methods with other prestigious European universities.
The Memorandum and this workshop are consistent with our department's commitment to developing initiatives that promote our region by recognising and protecting our archaeological heritage in collaboration with institutions, other universities, local authorities, and cultural organisations active in this field."
The Nuragic Civilisation was based on the Mediterranean island of Sardina from the Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age (1,700 BC – 500 BC) and has left over 7,000 remaining ‘Nuraghi’ structures across Sardinia, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Su Nuraxi di Barumini, with a further 30+ monuments on the UNESCO Tentative List.
Three of these UNESCO Tentative List monuments were selected to be case studies investigated by groups of students from the University of Portsmouth and the University of Cagliari. These sites were the stunning Nuraghe Genna Maria in Villanovaforru, the Giant Tomb of Sa Domu 'e s'Orku in Siddi, and the Nuragic Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria in Serri.
Students at Nuraghe of Genna Maria, Villanovaforru with Giacomo Paglietti, director of the Genna Maria Museum and Park.
This collaborative workshop focused on restoration strategies, accessibility, material and structural conservation, interpretation, protection and musealisation, while maintaining the sacred and life values of the Nuragic Heritage sites. It also equipped students with an interdisciplinary understanding of heritage conservation in the context of archaeology and presented the Italian and UK students with the opportunity to share ideas, skills and knowledge in the fascinating and inspiring landscape of Sardinia.
On the final day the student teams presented their ideas for the conservation and restoration of the three Nuragic Heritage sites in Serri City Hall, to an audience of community members, local representatives and a scientific committee from various universities.
These ideas included investigating digital preservation, utilising the surrounding landscape and exploring architectural design. The proposals included musealisation strategies to connect visitors to the past for the Nuraghe Genna Maria, a scheme for the Giant Tomb of Sa Domu 'e s'Orku to recreate the original experience of the tomb interior, and a focus on water as a ritual and sacred element, to enhance the landscape experience of the Nuragic Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria and its main structure, the sacred well.
The main topic was archaeological conservation but approached from a strongly interdisciplinary perspective. In fact, during the four-day workshop, students from the Master’s Program in Architecture and the Graduate School of Architectural and Landscape Heritage at the University of Cagliari worked alongside students from the University of Portsmouth, and with University of Cagliari faculty members in archaeology, architecture, engineering, as well as officials from heritage protection agencies, administrators, and cultural site managers.
They reflected on the principles of conservation, protection, and public access to archaeological heritage, with particular focus on Nuragic heritage, in light of UNESCO’s recommendations in this field."
The workshop has been a great success and has fostered international partnerships, with the involvement of stakeholders such as the Italian Government, UNESCO, as well as the local Sardinian people who took the time to introduce the students to the monuments. They were particularly honoured to welcome Dr Laura Acampora to Cagliari, the liaison officer for the Italian Ministry of Culture – Directorate General for European and International affairs - Service II UNESCO, who delivered an in-depth lecture on the processes for nominating and inscribing archaeological heritage on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as discussing best practices for conservation and public access.
The Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation is keen to continue and pursue local, national, and international collaborations. Please get in touch if you are interested in finding out more – see their website for more details.
Group photo of the students and scientific committee in Perdas, Gergej. Photo by Mauro Prevete.
Archaeological conservation is a creative act. It’s not just about preserving physical remains, but about revealing the stories, memories, and meanings that surround them. In this context, design, as a creative practice, offers powerful ways to deliver spatial and landscape interpretations, helping people connect with heritage through a contemporary lens.
One of the most rewarding outcomes of this workshop was seeing young professionals recognise the value of their design skills and experiences, and how these can meaningfully contribute to other fields such as archaeology."
The students at Nuraghe of Genna Maria, Villanovaforru. Photo by Valentina Pintus.
The Nuraghe replica at Is Perdas, Gergei, Sardinia. Photo by Mauro Prevete.
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