The tower dates to the Bronze Age (2200-850 BC).

The complex continued to be frequented in Punic and Roman times, first Republican then Imperial.

The last traces of occupation date to between the 4th and 7th century AD.

THE TOWER

The nuraghe consists of a circular tower built with basalt blocks: large roughly hewn blocks at the base, smaller, regular and carefully worked ones towards the top.

The entrance is topped by an imposing monolithic lintel. Inside, a corridor leads to the central chamber, which still preserves its intact tholos ceiling.

From the corridor a staircase reaches the upper floor, where a second elliptical chamber is found.

A wide rectangular opening above the entrance gave light to the room; it still preserves the elements for its closure, in stone or wood.

LATER ADDITIONS

Over the centuries new buildings were built against the nuraghe, which nevertheless remained the focus of the complex.

Nuraghe Ponte testifies to a long settlement continuity: it remained a stable reference in the landscape while architecture, activities and ways of living changed around it.

The Punic, Roman and late antique phases document the reuse of the settlement and its continuity well beyond the Nuragic age.

Nuraghe Ponte was known since the 19th century mainly for its tower, already described by travellers and explorers.

Stratigraphic excavations began in 2020.

V. Angius, Dualchi, in G. Casalis, Dizionario geografico, storico, statistico, commerciale degli Stati di Sua Maestà il Re di Sardegna, Turin, 1833-1856.

Elenco degli edifici monumentali, Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione, Rome.

A. Ferrero de la Marmora, Voyage en Sardaigne, Paris 1840.

E. Melis, Carta dei nuraghi della Sardegna, Spoleto 1967.

A. Moravetti, Ricerche archeologiche nel Marghine-Planargia, 1, Sassari 1998.

The name “e Ponte”, meaning “of the Bridge”, is attested since the 19th century. Available sources do not clarify the origin of the name.