There is a very ancient phase of Monte Sirai that dates back to the second half of the 8th century B.C. They are findings not connected for now, with building structures or burials: documentation is growing, that is distributed between 740 and 650 B.C., with ceramics found in the nearby areas too (figs 1-2).

Figs. 1-2 - Forms from the second half of the 8th - mid 7th century B.C. from Monte Sirai (GUIRGUIS, PLA ORQUIN 2011, figs. 5-6) and from Sirimagus (FINOCCHI 2005, fig. 19).

These are findings that have a similar chronology to others, well known, coming from the temple of Astarte, such as Nuragic, Phoenician bronze figures, perhaps even the same statue of Astarte. Perhaps in relation to the nearby nuraghe - a meeting place and expression of a new settlement produced by the meeting of Phoenicians of Sant’Antioco and Nuragic natives - and not the temple (fig. 3). The ceramics found in the Phoenician tombs from the 7th-6th century B.C. are from a later phase. (fig. 4).

Figs. 3-4 - Materials from the temple of Astarte (GUIRGUIS 2013, figs. 5-6); Phoenician ceramics from the end of the 7th - end of the 6th century B.C. From the ancient tombs of Monte Sirai (GUIRGUIS, POMPIANU, UNALI 2012 table 17)

Generally the typical Phoenician ceramics of these ancient temples are oinochoe, or jugs with mushroom edge and various types of lips, often red slip ware, or with shiny red paint, in addition to painted plates, tripods, cups and oil lamps.