A steatite smoothing tool was discovered in the thirties of the last century by A. Taramelli in the small Nuraghic village of Isportana, whose ruins are located on the outskirts of Dorgali.

Fig. 1 - Smoothing tool (from http://www.museoarcheologicodorgali.it/wp/museo_archeologia_in_sardegna/la-storia-di-dorgali-in-20-reperti/)

The stone artefact consists of a rectangular base with rounded corners and a central grip, the lower level is smooth, the upper face is decorated with parallel incisions, while "herringbone" patterns are engraved on the grip.

Fig. 2 - Artefacts from the village of Isportana (from PULACCHINI 1998,p.34, fig. 31).

The artefact, on display in the Archaeological Museum of Dorgali, dates back to the XII/VIII centuries B.C.

The stone artefact, generally elongated or rounded, was used for rubbing with the purpose of smoothing, refining or polishing particular surfaces such as, for example, terracotta ceramics during their manufacture. Smoothing tools made of soapstone and ceramic, often decorated (fig. 3), including with a handle which represents a domed building, have been found within the Nuraghic society (Fig. 4).

Fig. 3 - Smoothing tool from Nuraghe Santu Antine of Torralba (from CASTIA 2014, p. 270).

Fig. 4 - Smoothing tool representing a four-lobe Nuraghe from Nuraghe Santu Antine of Torralba (from CASTIA 2014, p. 271).