Archaeological Macomer: a journey through Sardinia’s ancient past

In the heart of Marghine, Macomer is home to an archaeological heritage that tells the story of thousands of years of Sardinian history.

Domus de Janas, nuraghi, Giants’ Tombs, villages and examples of traditional culture make up an itinerary that spans different eras and allows visitors to explore the area beyond the island’s best-known routes.

Places not to be missed include the Tamuli Archaeological Park, the Filigosa Necropolis and the Nuraghe Santa Barbara.

Three distinct stages, linked by a single, overarching narrative: that of the communities that inhabited the Macomer area from prehistoric times through to the Nuragic Age and beyond.

🔶 Tamuli: nuraghi, Giants’ tombs and stone guardians

A few kilometres from Macomer, in the area around Mount Sant’Antonio, the Tamuli archaeological site is one of the most evocative places in the Marghine.

The site comprises a complex nuraghe, the remains of the village and three Giants’ tombs.

But it is above all the six anthropomorphic betili known as sas perdas marmuradas that make Tamuli instantly recognisable.

Standing in a row beside the burial ground for over three thousand years, these enigmatic monoliths guide visitors through a landscape where archaeology and nature still seem to be in dialogue.

A stop that is particularly suitable for those who wish to learn about the Nuragic civilisation without separating it from the land where it originated.

🔶 Filigosa: a necropolis that gave its name to a culture

The Filigosa Necropolis takes us even further back in time.

On the slopes of the hill of the same name, dominated by the Nuraghe Ruggiu, there are four Domus de Janas carved into the rock.

Their significance extends beyond the boundaries of the Macomer area: indeed, it is from Filigosa that the name of the Abealzu-Filigosa culture derives, one of the main manifestations of the Sardinian Eneolithic period, which developed in the 3rd millennium BC.

Visiting Filigosa therefore means entering a site that is key to understanding Sardinia’s prehistory, observing burial sites that bear witness to the rituals, beliefs and changes that took place on the island thousands of years before the Nuragic civilisation.

🔶 Santa Barbara: the great nuraghe at Macomer

Imposing and monumental, the Nuraghe Santa Barbara is one of the region’s most representative archaeological sites.

The complex is dominated by a central tower standing approximately 15 metres high, surrounded by a complex bastion with flanking towers.

Around the nuraghe, there are also remains of a large settlement, which was inhabited throughout various periods right up to the Roman and early medieval periods.

Santa Barbara thus provides an immediate insight into the complexity achieved by Nuragic architecture and the role these large settlements played in the control and organisation of the territory.

🔶 Not just archaeology: The Ancient Arts

The journey through Macomer’s history can continue in the town centre at the Le Arti Antiche Ethnographic Museum.

The exhibits recreate aspects of domestic life, work and traditional crafts: from weaving to cheese-making and winemaking, right through to the workshops of blacksmiths, joiners, shoemakers and farriers.

A heritage that is different from, yet complementary to, the archaeological heritage.

Having explored the prehistoric and Nuragic communities, the museum offers visitors the chance to delve into the region’s more recent history and the material culture of the Marghine.

🔶 Macomer, the archaeological gateway to the Marghine

Visiting these places one after the other allows you to interpret Macomer as a true cultural landscape.

• Filigosa tells the story of the pre-Nuragic world.

• Tamuli offers an insight into the funerary and settlement aspects of the Nuragic Age.

• Santa Barbara demonstrates the monumental scale achieved by Nuragic architecture.

• The Department of Ancient Arts, on the other hand, preserves the customs, crafts and artefacts of traditional society.

Not merely a succession of monuments, then, but a journey through different periods in Sardinia’s history.

And it is precisely this concentration of historical sites that makes Macomer an attractive base for those wishing to discover the Marghine and an inland Sardinia that remains deeply connected to its landscape.

🔶 Organising your visit

The archaeological sites can be visited all year round, but opening times, access arrangements, facilities and guided tours may vary depending on the season.

We therefore recommend that you always check the latest information before setting off.

Esedra Escursioni provides information and experiences on its website dedicated to the archaeological sites and museums of Macomer, including Tamuli, Filigosa, Santa Barbara and Le Arti Antiche.

👉 Up-to-date information on museums and archaeological sites: HERE.

🔶 Why visit archaeological Macomer?

Because in just a few kilometres, you can journey through millennia of history.

Because some of the monuments in the area are key to understanding Sardinia’s prehistory and Nuragic civilisation.

And because here, archaeology is not separate from the landscape: it is still an integral part of it.

Macomer can serve as a stopover.

But it can also serve as a starting point for getting to know the Marghine.

🔶 Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main archaeological sites to visit in Macomer?

Among the most significant are the Tamuli archaeological complex, the Filigosa Necropolis and the Nuraghe Santa Barbara. The area also boasts numerous other archaeological sites.

Why is the Filigosa Necropolis important?

The four Domus de Janas at Filigosa are a key testament to the Sardinian Eneolithic period. The site helped give its name to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture, which developed in the 3rd millennium BC

What are the ‘sas perdas marmuradas’ of Tamuli?

There are six distinctive anthropomorphic betili situated next to the Giants’ tombs in the Tamuli complex. They are one of the site’s most recognisable and evocative features.

How tall is the Nuraghe Santa Barbara?

The central tower stands approximately 15 metres tall and forms part of a complex nuragic site surrounded by the remains of the ancient settlement.

Are the archaeological sites in Macomer open to visitors all year round?

The suggested visits are valid all year round, but opening times, accessibility and facilities are subject to change. It is therefore advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

🔶 Sources

• Autonomous Region of Sardinia – SardegnaTurismo, Tamuli Archaeological Park.

• Autonomous Region of Sardinia – SardegnaTurismo, Filigosa Necropolis.

• Autonomous Region of Sardinia – SardegnaTurismo, Nuraghe Santa Barbara – Macomer.

• Autonomous Region of Sardinia – SardegnaTurismo, Ancient Arts.

• Macomer Town Council – documentation relating to the management and promotion of archaeological sites

• Esedra Excursions – Museums and archaeological sites

🔶 For further reading

👉 Macomer: what to see and discover in the Marghine area.

👉 The Marghine: a journey into the heart of Sardinia.

👉 Esedra Escursioni: experiences and itineraries in Sardinia.

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