Until mid-20th century, most of its fields were covered with nuragus vines, a grape that takes its name from the town and is used to make a prized white wine. During the Roman period, the same countryside was home to Valentia, an important military and trading stop along the road from Karalis and Ulbia, as documented by the historian Pliny the Elder and geographer Ptolomy. Traditionally, it is said that Nuragus, a small town located to the north of the Giara plateau, in Part’e Alenza territory, on the border between Marmilla and Sarcidano, was founded by the survivors of the Roman castrum (fortified military camp), destroyed in the 8th century by the Vandals. Materials salvaged from the military camp, of which only a necropolis and wall traces remain, were used to construct a series of villae, which later united.