As from the early phases of the nuragic civilisation, we can observe in the central valley of Tirso that settlements are formed as clusters located on sites with particular features. The construction and scattering of 'nuraghi a tholos' correspond to widespread traces of occupation also in areas that were once of marginal interest. During Recent Bronze Age 'nuraghi complessi' were constructed, generally located in crucial places for the communication routes and the access to resources. During the beginning of the Final Bronze Age the central position of the nuraghe decreases while villages develop with temples and sacred wells.

Il contributo analizza la distribuzione degli insediamenti di età nuragica in un area campione della Sardegna centrale, e propone l'individuazione di diversi modelli di popolamento nell'ambito di uno sviluppo diacronico delle forme di abitato.