In Barumini, one of the most important huts of the Nuragic village, dating to the Upper Nuragic I Era (12th-9th century B.C.), is hut 80 (fig. 1).

Fig. 1 - 1954, Su Nuraxi, the dig of room 80 (from Lilliu, Zucca 1988, fig. 16, page 38).

This is a large circular building (external diameter 9.70 metres) made from basalt and limestone marl blocks, that has a bench around the perimeter, and 5 niches in the walls (fig. 2).

Fig. 2 - Overview of the “Capanna delle riunioni” (photo by Unicity S.p.A.).

Several artefacts have been found inside the hut that can be traced to the use of the room as a place of social representation and ritual ceremony: a trapezoid-shaped bowl made of limestone marl, a circular basin in sandstone and a stone model of the Nuraghe in limestone marl (fig. 3).

Fig. 3 - Model of Nuraghe from room 80 (photo by Pinna P.P., RAS Photographic Archive).

During the Punic Age (5th century B.C.) the creation of the walls inside the room, interpreted as elements for narrowing the space, meant the niches were hidden.

The dig in the archaeological area have brought to light different layers of Punic and Nuragic presence, containing ashes and coals, animal remains, pottery, coins, and craft-made bronze and stone artefacts.