The Bau ‘e Tanca is one of the “tallest” nuraghi in Sardinia, being positioned at 1122 meters above sea level, on the top of a plateau located in the territory of Talana. Some other nuraghi are situated at a higher altitude, including in particular the Ruinas (or Orruinas) of Arzana, which Giovanni Lilliu indicated as the highest in Sardinia, being located at 1197 meters above sea level, and the Ura ‘e Sole of Desulo, unfortunately in very poor condition, which at least among the known nuraghi with an altitude of 1331 meters, certainly holds the record for elevation. Archaeologist Caterina Nieddu, regarding the Bau ‘e Tanca, writes among other things that “the entrance of the nuraghe, rectangular in section, features a large granite lintel topped by a small window for drainage; the corridor, on the left side of which opens the staircase, leads into the internal chamber with a circular plan, visible only from above as it is inaccessible due to the collapse material that has flowed inside.” She also writes that “in the surrounding area of the nuraghe, the extensive village develops, which testifies to the intense life activity of the site: the huts are of the circular plan type, of which only the first rows remain, and in most cases, the piles of stones from the masonry.” She concludes with this observation: “The harmony between the monumental complex and the surrounding area currently used for grazing is striking, with the constant presence of animals that, free to graze in the archaeological area, seem to revive the ancient activities of the village.”
The photos of the nuraghe “Bau ‘e Tanca” are by Gianni Sirigu and Tonaresich for Wikimapia.
