International Scientific Conference

Gesture, Function, Meaning: Archery between Archaeology, Tradition and the Contemporary World. Material, Symbolic and Social Perspectives from Antiquity to the Present.

Carbonia – San Giovanni Suergiu, 26–27 June 2026

On 26 and 27 June 2026, the International Scientific Conference Gesture, Function, Meaning: Archery between Archaeology, Tradition and the Contemporary World. Material, Symbolic and Social Perspectives from Antiquity to the Present will take place, organised by archaeologists Marco Matta, Alessandra Gaviano and Giacomo Paglietti, together with Vannuccio A. Serafini and ASD Arco Club San Giovanni Suergiu.

The event is made possible with the patronage and financial support of the Municipality of San Giovanni Suergiu and the Consorzio Sistema Culturale Sardegna, and with the patronage of the Municipality of Carbonia, the University of Cagliari and the Italian Archery Federation, in collaboration with the Società Umanitaria and the Fabbrica del Cinema in Carbonia.

The conference will be held on Friday, 26 June, at the Villa Sulcis Archaeological Museum in Carbonia, and on Saturday, 27 June, at the Council Chamber of the Municipality of San Giovanni Suergiu. It aims to explore, from an interdisciplinary and diachronic perspective, the history, function and meaning of archery across different cultural and chronological contexts, examining archery not only as a competitive discipline but also as a symbolic, social and identity-related practice. The programme will feature researchers affiliated with Italian and international universities and research institutions.

The conference is also organised in collaboration with the Soprintendenza ABAP, the cultural associations Quadrifoglio ’95 and D’Altra Parte, Pro Loco San Giovanni Suergiu, the Sistema Bibliotecario Interurbano del Sulcis, UNICApress and the journal Traces in Time.