Wall paintings from Tharros (Sardinia, Italy): new trials for a 3D reconstruction of the Punic-Roman living Area

The fragments of wall paintings found in the Punic-Roman site of Tharros (Oristano, Italy) are extremely rare. Considering the survived evidences, the more relevant fragments in situ are placed in the buildings nn. 20 and 58, located in the western residential quarter and in the adjacent area to “Semitic Temple”, respectively. Based on the conservation status of the pieces, the evidences in the building n. 20 are probably attributable to late IInd-IIIrd styles of Pompeian wall painting, documenting a probable occupation at least until the Ist century B.C.- Ist century A.D. The re-reading of excavation diaries written by Gennaro Pesce between 1956 and 1964 has been useful to reconstruct the distribution of the wall paintings in the site, found often as fragments in the ground. Considering the exceptional character of the evidences in the site of Tharros, it has been carried out a relief by laser scanner involving the two better preserved fragments: this represents the basis for the archaeological reconstruction of the decorative items and a trial in view of virtual reconstruction aimed at exploiting the archaeological area as a whole.