Some Fordongianus inscriptions, dedicated to the Nymphs, water divinities, and to Asclepius, the healthy divinity. The presence of curative thermal waters gave rise to the cult, as in other Sardinian localities with Baths and health cults, like in Mitza Salamu of Dolianova. Small sanctuaries and places of worship to obtain the healing of their devotees were spread all over the late-Punic and Roman Republic period, from the III-II cent. A.D. onwards; also without springs with curative waters and dedicated to the duo Bes/Asclepius, like at Bithia (fig. 1) and Nora (fig. 2).

Fig. 1 - Statue of Bes from Bithia, linked to a sanatio cult. (from Barreca 1986, p 137)

Fig. 2 - Small devotee statue from Nora, sanctuary of Asclepius. The sick person is portrayed sleeping, wrapped in the coils of a serpent, sacred animal of the god (photo Archaeological Superintendence Cagliari).

The offerings are often simple and at times rough, small terracotta statues, with the hands indicating the part of the body for which healing is being invoked (figs. 3-4).

Fig. 3 - Small devotee statue offering from Bithia which indicates the body part the healing is being invoked for (from Bisi 1988, p. 341).

Fig. 4 - Small devotee statue offering from Neapolis (Santa Maria di Nabui-OR) indicating the body part healing is being invoked for (from Campus 1997, p. 175)