Investigations undertaken in 2006 concentrated on the western part of the monastery (area 1000), more precisely in rooms 1-2 and 4 and in sector 9. In room 1-2 a stratigraphic sequence relating to the monastery’s construction came to light, resting on a layer of red tufa rubble from the floors of courtyards dating to the pre-monastic period. Inside room 4 two stretches of wall were revealed running parallel to the large pre-monastic wall, already uncovered by the 1959 excavation, which crossed room 1-2.

In sector 9 two burials from a later phase, or possibly post-monastic phase were removed. Both deceased wore rings of a typology dating to the 14th-16 century. The work undertaken in rooms 6 and 10 of areas 2000 and 3000 identified the monastery’s floor levels and, below these, the earlier occupation phases. Here, as well as the occupation dating to the second half of the 11th-first quarter of the 12th century, evidence was found of the preceding 10th and 11th century phase and the pre-10th century phase.

Overall the research clarified not only the monastery’s plan and organisation in the 12th-13th century, but also greatly increased knowledge of the buildings that were part of the landed estate which was donated by the Abbey of Montecassino in 1121 for the foundation of the monastery itself. In fact, literary sources made vague mention of these structures but before the beginning of this research no conjectures could be made. Today, what is known about Santa Maria in Tergu in the Middle Ages confirms the occupation of the site in the 10th-13th century whilst more recent data attests occupation of the site which may even go back as far as the 8th-9th century.

The data regarding material finds, particularly those relating to monetary circulation, attests frequent contacts throughout the Mediterranean, and allow the period of the “judgeships” in Sardinia to be reinstated within the context of the overseas contacts and the political and commercial relationships of those centuries. (MiBAC)