The relationship with the sea
Sardinians had a strong relationship with the sea, especially with the Tyrrhenian sea. The votive small bronze ships are the most important archaeological evidences. Among these are to be mentioned:
• Simple and light hulls
• Heavier hulls, usually used for goods transport.

Like the Nordic ships (Baltic and Viking) with their decorations representing swans and other typical animals, the Sardinian ships show stylised emblems such as deers, muoflons, oxes and rams, all symbols of a land of shepherds and mountain people, easily transforming themselves on sailors and pirates.
But after the Nuraghic Age Sardinia suffered a deep change: from being a sailor population it became a “continental “ population, rejecting its sea after the Carthaginian conquest at the end of VI century B.C. During VIII and VII century the island was still a power in the Mediterranean relationships context. The sea was a vehicle, the culture’s food and the population was very confident with it. Then the Carthaginians arrived with their military regime and the sea had a new owner. For the Sardinian population the sea became a border, a sort of prison’s bars, closing it in a silent loneliness full of grievance, rebellion and expectation.

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