The Nuragic village of Tiscali It is a site archaeological the only one located in Sardinia, nestled inside a doline on the top of the Monte Tiscalion the border between the municipalities of Dorgali and Oliena. This settlement, dating back toBronze Ageoffers a fascinating testimony of the Nuragic civilization and their settlement choices in an extraordinary landscape context.
Mount Tiscali, with an altitude of about 518 meters above sea level, stands between the Supramonte of Dorgali and that of Oliena, offering a strategic and panoramic position. The peculiarity of the village lies in its location within one Carsica Dolinaformed in remote times following the collapse of the vault of a vast cave.
This natural conformation made the village invisible from the outsideguaranteeing the inhabitants natural protection and camouflage in the surrounding landscape. To reach the site, it is necessary to undertake a hiking path that crosses the suggestive Lanaitua Valley, requesting a good physical preparation and a strong spirit of adventure.
The architectural characteristics of the village
Inside the doline, along its walls, there are the remains of about forty hutsmainly circular in shape, with some rectangular structures. These homes were leaning against the rocky walls, making the most of the available space and offering a compact and functional arrangement.
The choice to build inside the doline not only guaranteed a natural defense, but also allowed a microclimate in favor of daily life. The structures were made with local materials, such as limestone stones, and had covers in perishable materials, now no longer visible.
Historical meaning and use of the site
The origin of the village dates back to the nuragic period, between the fifteenth and eighth centuries BCbut archaeological evidence indicates a attendance of the site even in subsequent eras, up to the Roman age. It is assumed that Tiscali may have performed different functions over the centuries: from stable settlement to temporary refuge in periods of conflict or invasion.
The hidden and hardly accessible position suggests that the village could serve as Last bulwark against the advance of invading peoplesoffering shelter and safety to local inhabitants. Some scholars also propose a use of the site for ceremonial or religious purposes, given its particular conformation and the suggestive atmosphere that characterizes it.
Archaeological discoveries and conservation
The first documented explorations of the village of Tiscali date back to the early twentieth century, with the visits of the archaeologist Ettore Pais in 1910 and subsequently by Antonio Taramelli in 1927, who described and photographed the site. In 1999, the Superintendency for the archaeological heritage of the provinces of Sassari and Nuoro started systematic excavations under the direction of Susanna Massetti, bringing to light, important finds who have contributed to a better understanding of the social organization and the daily activities of the inhabitants of the village.
However, decades of neglect and looting have partially compromised the integrity of the site. To preserve this heritage, in 1995 a Recovery and safeguard projectentrusted to the Ghivine Cooperative of Dorgali, in collaboration with the local authorities and the archaeological superintendence. Today the village of Tiscali is managed with guard services e guided toursoffering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in history and in the Nuragic culture in a natural context of extraordinary beauty.
The human ability to adapt and integrate with the surrounding environment
The Nuragic village of Tiscali represents not only an important archaeological testimony, but also a symbol of the human ability of adapt and integrate with the surrounding environment. His discovery and conservation offer valuable information on the life of the Nuragic communities and their survival strategies in an harsh and fascinating territory such as that of Sardinian Supramonte. The visit to the site is not only a journey into the past, but also an experience that invites reflection on the relationship between man and nature, on the resilience and ingenuity of ancient civilizations.
