According to several scholars, Girasole corresponds to the ancient Sulci Tirrenica (Tyrrhenian Sulcis). Since the times of Roman Emperor Caracalla it has been spoken of as Sardinia's eastern resort and the geographer Tolomeo (2nd century AD) defined its inhabitants as Sulcitans. Archaeological investigations confirm that Girasole emerged almost three thousand years ago: the ruins of buildings have been discovered and are of the same construction type as the Punic buildings in Sant'Antioco (western Sulci), dating back to the 4th-3rd century BC, preceded by more ancient Phoenician buildings. Numerous artefacts, recovered during reclamation of the nearby Pond of Tortolì, where the ancient port was located, have provided further confirmation. Phoenicians and Carthaginians made the ancient Sulci a fundamental port of call for routes towards the Peninsula. The development continued on during the Roman periods, making it a crucial outpost in Mediterranean trade. In the 12th century, it was called Gelisoi, which was transformed over time into its current name.