The Museum of obsidian opened in March 2010 in the municipality of Pau, a small centre in Alta Marmilla, in the province of Oristano, on the eastern slope of the Monte Arci volcanic massif.
It stems from a constructive and essential dialogue with the University of Cagliari and, in particular, with the chair of Pre-history and Proto-history run by Prof. Carlo Lugliè, following a prolonged commitment made by the local administration with a view to both enhancing and protecting its territory and its incredible uniqueness.
It is the only museum in Europe dedicated exclusively to obsidian. In the world there is only one other similar structure: the Obsidian Museum of Archaeology in Nagawa (Nagano), together with the Center for Obsidian and Lithic Studies which has been collaborating with the Museum of Pau thanks to an agreement, since 2014.
The museum’s itinerary is a true experience in direct contact with pre-history. Reproductions of tools used in ancient times for working obsidian are available in the exhibiting rooms and reproductions of artifacts used by our ancestors during everyday life can be touched.
Not to be missed is a visit to the Sa Scaba Crobina path, a black pathway covered with endless splinters of obsidian deriving from their ancient processing.
