History of the Ancient Megalithic Nuraghes in Sardinia
The Nuraghe (plural nuraghi in Italian) is the main type of ancient megalithic stone building found exclusively in Sardinia, Italy. These unique structures are the most imposing and representative symbols of the Nuragic civilization, a culture that flourished on the island for nearly two millennia. Their uniqueness and historical value are globally recognized: in 1997, the complex “Su Nuraxi” at Barumini was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Related article: Ancient Populations of Italy
Distribution and Chronology
In Sardinia, there are between 7,000 and 8,000 nuraghi, scattered across the entire territory with an impressive average density of about one every 3 km². It is presumed that their number was much greater in the past, perhaps as high as 10,000, before many were dismantled to reuse their valuable building materials.
The construction of the nuraghi spans a very long period, with a clear architectural evolution:
Iron Age (from 900 BC): The construction of new nuraghi ceased. However, they were not abandoned. Many continued to be used, repaired, and adapted, often taking on new functions, perhaps as community centers or religious sites.
Early Bronze Age (ca. 1800-1600 BC): The first nuraghi, called “protonuraghi” (or “corridor nuraghi”), were built. These are more archaic structures, often with an irregular or ovoid plan and internal spaces consisting of corridors covered with horizontal slabs, rather than the typical domes of the later period.
Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1600-1300 BC): This was the classical period, which saw the rise of the iconic single-tower nuraghe (monotorre). These buildings mastered the tholos (false dome) construction technique.
Recent & Final Bronze Age (ca. 1300-900 BC): The structures became far more complex. Existing single-tower nuraghi were often modified and expanded with bastions and secondary towers, creating articulated fortresses (known as complex or “polylobate” nuraghi, e.g., with three or four lobes). It was during this time that large villages of circular stone huts often sprang up around these central complexes.
Architecture and Construction Technique
The most remarkable engineering feature of the nuraghi is their construction. They are built using cyclopean masonry (with large, often roughly worked, stones) and the dry-stone technique, meaning without the use of any mortar or binder. Their stability is guaranteed solely by the enormous weight of the blocks and their precise, interlocking arrangement. The distinctive internal feature is the tholos, or false dome (also known as a corbel dome). This is not a true dome; instead, the stones are arranged in concentric rings, with each ring projecting slightly inward over the one below it, until a final capstone seals the top. This design channels all the weight vertically. A typical single-tower nuraghe has a base diameter of 8 to 10 meters, while the highest towers of complex structures could reach 25 to 30 meters (80-100 ft). Internally, these towers contain one or more superimposed chambers, connected by spiral staircases and corridors ingeniously built into the thickness of the massive walls.
In some areas, their density is exceptional. The “Valley of the Nuraghi” in the Logudoro-Meilogu region, as well as the Trexenta and Marmilla regions, are famous for their high concentration of these structures.
The Debate on Function
Scholars still do not have a common opinion about their function. The true purpose of Nuragic constructions has been a subject of dispute among historians and archaeologists for centuries. The most likely hypothesis is that they did not have a single, static function, but rather served multiple purposes that may have evolved over time.
One of the most traditional theories suggests a military and territorial control function. Their strategic positions (often on hilltops), massive construction, narrow entrances, and the fact that many nuraghi are in the line-of-sight of one another suggest a sophisticated network of watchtowers and fortifications for defending territory, controlling travel routes, and protecting resources.
Another hypothesis centers on a residential and political purpose; the complex, polylobate nuraghi were almost certainly fortified residences for a dominant chieftain, clan, or elite class. They were powerful symbols of status and political power, acting as the administrative and economic centers for a given territory, where food and resources were stored and protected.
A third possibility relates to religious and astronomical functions. While dedicated religious sites (like “holy well” temples) existed, some nuraghi show clear astronomical alignments. The orientation of their entrances, for example, often corresponds to the rising sun at the solstices or equinoxes. In later periods, it is clear many were repurposed as places of worship.
Ultimately, the most widely accepted modern view is that of a mixed-use structure: a “fortress-home” that combined the functions of elite residence, defensive stronghold, symbolic landmark, and community center, all in one.
Etymology
The origin of the name is also debated. According to the scholar Giovanni Lilliu, the root Nur in the word nuraghe is of pre-Latin (or “paleo-Sardinian”) origin and is thought to mean ‘heap of stones, hollow heap’. Alternatively, archaeologist Giovanni Ugas (University of Cagliari) has suggested the word could derive from Norax or Norace, the mythological hero of the Ibero-Balari people. It is possible the root Nur- is a Mediterranean adaptation of the Indo-European root Nor-, which is found in other toponyms in Sardinia (e.g., Nora, Noragugume) and beyond.
Representative Examples
Among the thousands of nuraghi, some are particularly famous for their complexity and state of conservation. Su Nuraxi di Barumini is the UNESCO site and the perfect example of a complex nuraghe: a single tower from 1500 BC surrounded by a four-lobed bastion and a vast village. The Nuraghe Santu Antine (Torralba), known as “Sa Domo de su Re” (The King’s House), is one of the most imposing and best-preserved Nuragic “palaces,” famous for its internal corridors. Finally, the Nuraghe Arrubiu (Orroli), nicknamed the “Red Giant” for the lichens that cover it, is one of the largest and most complex on the island, featuring a five-lobed bastion.
In 1997 they were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Builders: The Nuragic People in the Mediterranean
The nuraghi were built by the indigenous Nuragic civilization, one of the most prominent and sophisticated prehistoric populations of Italy. Far from being an isolated society, they were a complex population of warriors, shepherds, skilled metallurgists, and sophisticated sailors. Archaeological evidence proves they were active and influential players in the Bronze Age Mediterranean trade networks.
Nuragic pottery, easily identifiable, has been found in key trade hubs such as Mycenaean Greece, Crete, Cyprus, southern Spain, and central Italy. In return, high-status goods from these regions, particularly Mycenaean pottery and Cypriot copper ingots, have been excavated in major nuragic complexes, confirming their connection to the era’s great powers.
This international connection is central to one of the most compelling hypotheses regarding their identity: the link to the Sea Peoples. Egyptian records, particularly from the reigns of Ramesses II (13th cent. BC) and Ramesses III (12th cent. BC), vividly describe a formidable group of sea-raiders and mercenaries called the Shirdana. The link is based on two main pieces of evidence:
- Etymology: The name “Shirdana” is exceptionally close to Sardus or Sardinia.
- Iconography: The weapons and armor depicted on Egyptian reliefs (e.g., at Medinet Habu)—horned helmets, round shields, and long swords—are strikingly, almost identically, mirrored in the famous Nuragic bronze warrior statuettes (bronzetti).
This has led many scholars to identify the Nuragic Sardinians with the Shirdana, who served as both elite mercenaries for the pharaohs and, later, as antagonists during the final Bronze Age collapse, placing them firmly at the center of Mediterranean history.
Source
Article originally published on May 21, 2021
Topics: Facts, History & Pictures of the Megalithic Nuraghes in Sardinia
Matteo Damiani is an Italian sinologist, photographer, author and motion designer. Matteo lived and worked for ten years in China. Founder of CinaOggi.it, China-underground.com, Weirditaly.com and RetroFuturista.com.
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