The Sardinian Nuragic Landscape. Reinterpreting the Minor Architectural Remains from Ancient Settlements Within Their Territorial and Landscape Context

The heritage of the Nuragic civilisation (1700/700 BC) in Sardinia, Italy, is immense and varied and serves as a foundational element of the region’s cultural specificity. The widespread systems of architectural artefacts have established a relationship of harmony with the natural, rural, and urban landscapes, increasing their sacredness and highlighting the need for a better understanding, protection, and valorisation. This exceptional presence of ancient Nuragic architectures prompts us to reflect on the role of urban design and architecture in their preservation and revitalisation. The research question is: working at different scales, can contemporary projects breathe new life and meaning into these precious yet challenging artefacts? What are the possibilities for integrating this heritage into contemporary contexts? Is it possible to envision specific interventions within the urban fabric, where contemporary architecture interacts with the historical framework to elevate urban quality? Studies reveal the value of their strategic localisations in relation to resources such as water, whose cult strongly contributed to their distribution, and the Nuragic civilisation’s role in organising the landscape and structuring Sardinian settlements. Architectural and urban design interventions could play a fundamental role in enhancing these sites. This reflection draws inspiration from specific cases in Sardinia, aiming to extend the discussion to archaeological heritages surrounded by recent urban environments. Additionally, we will analyse examples of contemporary architecture that have found purposeful alignment with ancient structures. There is a strong awareness that addressing the topic of the testimonies of Nuragic civilisation must be approached secularly and pragmatically, considering their size and number. Multi-scalar surveys already capture the material, geometric, and territorial qualities of these multi-layered Nuragic sites, reconstructing the intricate relationships between these artefacts and their surroundings.