The systematic digs carried out in the area of the megaron temple at Arcu ’e Is Forros (fig. 1), a place of worship, politics and economics for the community of the huge Ogliastra territory, have also brought to light several votive statues in bronze, presumably connected to the worship of water.

Fig. 1 - Area of the megaron 1 temple (photo by Unicity S.p.A.).

One of the bronzes found portraying animals, is a miniature bronze lion, which is extremely refined and made using the complex technique of lost wax casting, the result of contacts outside the island.

The animal portrayal (Orientalising Period 7th century B.C.) has his head turned to the front, a massive body with modelled muscles, the paws fused to the base over which the figures is crouched, and its tail lifted up (fig. 2).

Fig. 2 - Miniature bronze lion (from Fadda 2014, fig. 319, p. 203).

The motif, which so far was almost unknown in Nuragic bronze iconography, can be compared with another bronze lion (fig. 3) found in the votive store at the extraordinary Nuragic sanctuary of Nurdole-Orani (fig. 4) and now on show at the National Archaeological Museum of Nuoro.

Fig. 3 - Orani, Nuragic temple of Nurdole, retrospective bronze lion figure (from Fadda 2006, fig. 78, p. 71).

The animal, slightly leaning on its front paws, was interpreted as a result of trade exchanges with Etruria that took place during the Orientalising Period.

Fig. 4 - Orani, Nuragic temple of Nurdole (da https://www.google.it/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi5wvOrzaLKAhXLvBQKHbnkC9sQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhistoriaproject.altervista.org%2Forani-un-marchesato-nella-barbagia-tra-nuraghi-e-romani%2F&bvm=bv.111396085,d.bGQ&psig=AFQjCNHHlCiBLUuEwhFlYyP9bPzhdIsysw&ust=1452630717968747).