In the heart of the western Mediterranean, between 1900 and 730 BCE, a unique stone-built structure began rising across the island of Sardinia — the nuraghe. These megalithic towers became the defining feature of the Nuragic civilization. While more than 7,000 still stand today, it is estimated that over 10,000 once dotted the Sardinian landscape, especially in its northwest and south-central regions. The earliest nuraghes, known as protonuraghes, lacked the circular central chambers that came to characterize later forms. These stocky structures followed irregular layouts of corridors and rooms. Over time, builders began constructing single-tower nuraghes with truncated conical shapes, made from layers of massive stones. Each tower typically housed a tholos-vaulted chamber, accessed by a narrow corridor and often lit by small embrasures. Staircases spiraled up within thick walls to reach higher floors or terraces. Some single-tower nuraghes evolved into 'tancadu' forms — where an additional tower and connecting walls created a courtyard. The most complex type, the polylobed nuraghes, resembled stone fortresses, with multiple towers joined by high ramparts. These grand constructions, sometimes called Nuragic royal palaces, may have served both defensive and social functions. Despite their imposing form, the true function of the nuraghes remains debated. Their strategic placement on hilltops suggests military use, but they may have also served as residences, assembly halls, or religious centers. Small-scale models found in sacred areas point to symbolic or ceremonial significance. Rather than tombs or temples, they likely signified status, power, and control over territory. Recent theories propose that they marked the centers of independent, federated communities. Archaeoastronomical studies in 2002 revealed that nuraghe entrances often align with celestial events, especially the winter solstice sunrise and the Moon's southernmost rising. Such patterns hint at a sophisticated understanding of astronomy among Nuragic builders, possibly linked to ritual or calendrical purposes. From the protonuraghes of Gesturi to the intricate corridors of Santu Antine, these megalithic towers remain Sardinia's most iconic legacy — silent sentinels of a culture whose origins, meanings, and ingenuity continue to fascinate.

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Nuraghe