Macomer

Macomer (Sardinian: Macumère) is a town and comune of Sardinia (Italy) in the province of Nuoro. It is situated on the southern ascent to the central plateau (the Campeda) of this part of Sardinia, at the junction of narrow-gauge lines branching from the main railroad line running east to Nuoro and west to Bosa.

The district, especially the Campeda, is well suited for grazing and horse and cattle breeding, which is carried on to a considerable extent.

History

Macomer, known to the Greek geographer Ptolemy as "Macopsissa," has been inhabited since antiquity. In 1478 it has been the scene of historic battle between the Sardinians and the Aragonese, which ended the independence of Sardinia. Since 1767, under the Kingdom of Sardinia, it was the capital of the Marquisate of Marghine. The Marquisate included the nearby villages of Birori, Bolotana, Borore, Bortigali, Dualchi, Lei, Mulargia, Noragugume and Silanus.

In 1949, a statue called The Venus of Macomer was discovered in a cave located in "Marras" area, in a gorge of the river S'Adde. The artifact depicts a Goddess Mother dating back to the Palaeolithic period. It is about 14 centimetres (5.5 in) high and was built with local basalt. It is currently kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Cagliari.