nuraghe

Nuraghe are characteristic megalithic towers built by the Nuragic civilization on the island of Sardinia during the Bronze Age, roughly 1800 to 1100 BCE. The term nuraghe (plural nuraghi) derives from the Sardinian language and refers to these monuments and the culture that produced them. Thousands of nuraghi dot the island, ranging from simple single-tower examples to large, interconnected complexes.

Construction is dry-stone work, using locally available limestone or basalt with no mortar. Most nuraghi are circular or polygonal in plan and rise from thick, solid walls. A doorway at or near ground level opens into one or more chambers, and the upper parts are often corbelled to form a vaulted roof or rooftop terrace. In complex types, two or more towers are linked by walls and courtyards to create a fortified enclosure.

Function and dating remain subjects of scholarly debate. The towers may have served defensive purposes, demonstrated elite status, and/or functioned as religious or ceremonial centers. Some sites show evidence of domestic use in certain periods, suggesting a long, varied occupation history.

Prominent examples include Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, which preserves a well-preserved complex with a central tower and surrounding structures. Other notable nuraghi include Palmavera, Losa, and Arrubiu. Together they illustrate the diverse expression of the Nuragic architectural tradition and its role in Sardinian prehistory.