The excavations in structures 4, 8 and 9 were undertaken as part of the multidisciplinary research project “Iloi-Sedilo: use of the territory from the Neolithic to medieval period” begun in 1986 and directed by G. Tanda. The project aims to define a methodology for the reconstruction of the environment, economy and territorial organisation in societies from the prehistoric to the medieval period which is suited to the specificity of the Sardinian archaeological patrimony.

The locality of Iloi is situated 2.5 km south-west of Sedilo, on the edge of a basalt plateau. The nuragic complex stands at the edge of the plateau which has receded with respect to its original position. It comprises an area with nuraghe and village and a zone reserved for funerary use with two ‘Giant’s’ tombs.

The excavation identified numerous residential units with different layouts and functions, which constitute only a part of the settlement which developed around the nuraghe of Iloi. In fact, the settlement is calculated to cover about 2 ha, in which the structures stood, partially within a defensive wall, perhaps with towers. To date thirteen units have been excavated, mainly in the north/north-western sector of the village. Only structures 2 and 5 are situated in the south-west and south-east zones, respectively.

In almost all of these buildings the excavations revealed the presence of a substantial deposit inside the rooms, mainly constituted by stones that were either loose or bonded by a small quantity of earth.
Most of the structures are circular with diameters varying between 4 – 6.5 m, defined by a base of stones sometimes preserved to a notable height (1.85 m in structure 8) and with thick internal walls circa 0.80 m wide, reaching 1.30 m (structure 8). The walls are dry-stone built with a double facing.

The entrances were almost always east-facing (but north-west in structure 4 and south-east in structure 8) and some had steps that were presumably added in a later phase. Inside niches were present in the walls (structure 8) or cupboards also abutted them (structure 9). In structure 2 there was a large niche, partially created using the natural rock and partially masonry-built. Hearths were present in some structures, built up against the wall facing the entranced (structure 3) or simply on the floor (8). The floor surfaces had often been levelled with a layer of beaten earth (8) and/or a paving of stone slabs or cobbles, even on several levels (4 and 9). In structure 8 the edges of the room were paved. At the centre of some huts there was a circular base of basalt (3) or a small column of trachyte stone (9).

The group of structures 6-9 and 12-13 constituted an actual insula, grouped around a courtyard (structure 13), in which the circular and elliptical structures appeared linked by narrow, rectilinear walls and small quadrangular or elliptical spaces. Of note is structure 7 in which there was a central hearth and which produced furnishings (a stone basin) and pottery which suggest this space had a cult function.