The dig of the residual archaeological deposit of the Sant’Andrea Priu hypogeum (fig. 1) also returned small pottery fragments, an arrowhead in obsidian with small wings (length 4.4 cm).

Fig. 1 - Domus de janas XI (by TARAMELLI 1919, fig. 41a, page 95).

The finding (fig. 2) was a tool for hunting, part of the stone industry and is similar to other examples from the island’s neo-Eneolithic age (fig. 3).

Fig. 2 - Arrowhead in obsidian (from TARAMELLI 1919, fig. 53, page 115).

Fig. 3 - Arrowheads in obsidian from Monte Arci shown in the Antiquarium Arborense at Oristano (from http://www.antiquariumarborense.it/it/Museo/Archivi/Reperti/Immagini/001_DSC_5879.jpg).

The raw material used to make the arrowhead, obsidian, is a dark, shiny volcanic glass, mainly found in Sardinia in the volcanic complex of Monte Arci (fig. 4), on the Campidano plain, in the ancient geographical area of Marmilla, where prehistoric people found the black gold on the ridges from the 4th millennium B.C. For the realisation of daily tools of the most varied shapes and functions, such as projectile casing, blades, piercing tools and razors. More rarely, obsidian was also polished to make jewellery and ornaments.

Fig. 4 - Monte Arci (from http://www.sardegnaturismo.it/sites/default/files/styles/img_primo_piano/public/digital_160699.jpg?itok=UpXGSLeV).

The stone tool was obtained by working a piece of obsidian through vibration and chiselling. To make arrowheads, mounted and wrapped onto thin lake branches, small obsidian fragments were used.

Using bone tools, the tip was then made, following the veins of the stone along the fracture line. One the right size was obtained, the stem was then made and mounted on wood, using natural ties and beeswax to guarantee stability of the tip.

For the date, this item can be from a wide period of time, corresponding to a late Neolithic age to the later Eneolithic age.