The wheel-shaped pendant, probably used as a jewel, was found in the passage of the C entrance to the Nuraghic Albucciu complex in Arzachena (fig. 1).

Fig. 1 - Nuraghe Albucciu, ground floor plan
(from ANTONA RUJU, CERUTI 1992, fig. 12).

This miniature object (diameter 4.4 cm) was made in bronze by mould casting. It consists of two concentric circles joined by a cross which forms four spokes (fig. 2).

The finding is displayed in the Nuraghic hall of the National Museum G.A. Sanna of Sassari and dates from the twelfth to the eighth century B.C.

Fig. 2 - Four-spoke wheel (from MORAVETTI A., ALBA L., FODDAI L. 2014, p. 209).

The pendant relates to the sacred sphere and recalls the shape of the solar disk, interpreted as the union of the forces of the sky.

This ornamental / decorative pattern is also known in other artefacts found in different island contexts, for example, it is repeated in a pendant found at Nuraghe Nurdole in Orani, while from Nuraghe Genna Maria in Villanovaforru comes the disk-shaped pintadera (stamp) decorated by five concentric circles arranged in a cross, considered a unicum (figs. 3, 4).

Fig. 3 - Pendant from Nuraghe Nurdole in Orani (from MORAVETTI A., ALBA L., FODDAI L. 2014, p. 280).

Fig. 4 - Pintadera (stamp) from Nuraghe Genna Maria in Villanovaforru (from MORAVETTI A., ALBA L., FODDAI L. 2014, p. 257).

The object was studied, interpreted and re-dated to the twelfth century B.C. by archaeologist Giuseppa Tanda.

The researcher identified in this finding the head of an ornamental pin, perhaps used to fasten a coat or another article of clothing.

It was described by Tanda as a "four-spoke bronze wheel with double rim", linked to the figure of the spoked wheel used by Nuraghic Sardinians.  

The wheel was reproduced on a small scale not only as an ornamental object, but also as part of cult models representing wagons.