Insediamenti e grotte naturali nella preistoria della Sardegna. Indagini nel territorio di Usini (Sassari)

Tue following is the presentation of the early results of a landscape study which integrates the data from archaeological excavation with those offield-walking and remote sensor surveys, with the aim of analysing and understanding the use of prehistoric caves in relation to outside spaces and settlements. Tue areas analysed occupy the territory to the north-west of Usini (north-western Sardinia), with natural borders to the south-west and to the north formed by the Riu Mannu valley and its aftluent, the Mascari. Tue peculiarity of this area compared to the surrounding territory is the presence of limestone cave systems and rock sheltersas well as surface settlements; here there appears to be much less use of rock-cut tombs (domus de janas), which in the area of Sassari and in the remaining territory of Usini are far more common.