Handle with a bean section for a small amphora from the late imperial age, found in the stratigraphy during recent digs in the area of San Saturnino (fig. 1). This type of container can be identified as a transportation amphora, probably produced in North Africa in the 6th-7th century, and mainly used for grain and oil trade. The handle has the imprint of a coin on the unbaked clay on the upper surface (fig. 2). In spite of its small size, it is possible to read and identify the issuing authority. It is a coin minted under the name of Emperor Constantius II (642-668), an important date that proves the date provided by the type of item (figs 3-4).

Fig. 1 - Tombs in the burial area of San Saturnino (photo by Unicity S.p.A.).

Fig. 2 - Cagliari, S. Saturnino: fragment of an amphora with the imprint of a coin from the time of Constantius II (From Salvi 2002, p. 225).

Fig. 3 - A gold coin from the time of Constantius II (from https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costante_II).

Fig. 4 - A Constantius II coin (from http://www.deamoneta.com/).