“In June 1994, as part of a broader enhancement program, a excavation campaign was initiated aimed at the protection of the archaeological area of Funtana Coberta, in the municipality of Ballao. The area is known in archaeological literature for the excavations of 1918, directed by Antonio Taramelli, during which a well temple was uncovered (A. Taramelli, Notizie Scavi 1919 pp. 169-186). The monumental complex occupies the central part of a closed valley, to the East, by a small elevation on which the road connecting the village of Ballao with Escalaplano passes, at the point where the junction for the new road leading to Goni branches off. This elevation is slightly sloped from North to South and from North-West to South-East and shows bare rock in some places. The monument is among the most well-known in Sardinia and is included in a promotion project prepared by the Municipality of Ballao, which has purchased the area surrounding the monument in view of its inclusion in tourist itineraries that favor the more inland areas of Sardinia. The well features a semi-subterranean cell for the collection of spring water, covered by a tholos dome, with the access staircase preceded by a short atrium. The dome is encased by a drum wall, to which a projecting body is attached that delineates the access staircase and the two wings of the small rectangular and paved area in front of the entrance door of the staircase.”
(Text prepared by the Archaeological Superintendency for the Provinces of Cagliari and Oristano, taken from the website of the Municipality of Ballao).
The photos of the well temple of Funtana Coberta are by Gianni Sirigu, Giovanni Sotgiu, Bibi Pinna, Diversamente Sardi, and Alberto Valdès.
