Keftiu: Reality Or Myth? 0 Comments

Keftiu, mentioned in ancient Egyptian sources as the "Lands of the Islands in the Great Green", is an enigmatic toponym that has sparked the curiosity of historians, archaeologists, and enthusiasts of ancient mysteries. The "Great Green" (Wadj-Ur in ancient Egyptian) was a generic term used to describe the Mediterranean Sea. While the name broadly referred to the sea itself, it remains plausible that Egyptian navigators or Mediterranean civilisations they interacted with were aware of Sardinia, considering the island's significant role in trade during the Bronze Age, between 2300 BC and 950-800 BC.

Egyptian inscriptions from the Middle and New Kingdoms (2000–1200 BCE) refer to Keftiu as an island nation with which Egypt maintained trade relations. The land was known for its wealth, craftsmanship, and strategic position in the Mediterranean. However, the precise location of Keftiu remains a matter of debate, with some theories linking it to other Mediterranean regions, such as the Aegean islands, Cyprus, or even Sardinia.

The hypothesis that Keftiu may have been located in Sardinia is both intriguing but controversial. Let’s explore the arguments for this possibility:

1. The Nuragic Civilization, which flourished in Sardinia during the Bronze Age (1800–900 BCE), shares certain characteristics with the descriptions of Keftiu: advanced construction techniques, as seen in the nuraghi, intricate artifacts, such as the Nuragic Bronze Statuettes, depicting ships and traders. These suggest that Sardinia participated in extensive maritime trade across the Mediterranean. 

2. Sardinia’s central location in the western Mediterranean made it a potential hub for commerce between the Near East, the Aegean, and Western Europe. Sardinia’s Rich Mineral Resources, as copper and lead reserves, essential for Bronze Age trade, may have attracted Egyptian interest. 

3. The Shardana, one of the Sea Peoples frequently mentioned in Egyptian texts, are hypothesised to have originated in Sardinia or maintained strong ties to the island. If the Shardana were associated with Sardinia, they could have been intermediaries between Egypt and the western Mediterranean.

Arguments against the Sardinian Hypothesis are:

1. Artistic and Cultural Egyptian Representations, depictions and references to Keftiu align more closely with the Minoan Civilization of Crete, renowned for its maritime dominance during this period.

2. While Sardinia exhibits signs of contact with the broader Mediterranean, there are no direct inscriptions or archaeological finds definitively identifying Sardinia as Keftiu.

3. Unlike Crete and Cyprus, where clear traces of Egyptian cultural exchange have been discovered, there is limited evidence of Egyptian artifacts or influences in Sardinia during the Bronze Age.

Recent studies on Mediterranean navigation and metal trafficking during the Bronze Age are shedding new light on Sardinia as an important commercial player. Is it possible that Keftiu was a broader term, used to describe not only Crete but a group of Mediterranean islands that also included Sardinia?

The notion that Keftiu might be linked to Sardinia cannot be definitively proven with current evidence. However, the Nuragic Civilization, with its unique culture and impressive monuments, may have interacted indirectly with Egypt and other great powers of the time. The island could have been known indirectly to the Egyptians thanks to commercial networks and possible links with the Shardana or other Mediterranean populations.

“After all, I believe that legends and myths are largely made of 'truth', and indeed present aspects of it that can only be received in this mode; and long-ago certain truths and modes of this kind were discovered and must always reappear.” (JRR Tolkien)

Written by Daniela Toti