Menorca - Pre History
Prehistoric remains can be seen all over Menorca.
Rarely hidden away, you will often glimpse them unexpectedly from the roadside, perhaps in the middle of a field, surrounded by feeding animals. These are the remains of the late-Bronze-Age Talaiot culture. Due to their abundance Menorca is often referred to as the mediteranen's largest open air museum.
This is a laymans introduction for the Holidaymaker. There is a wealth of information and much more knowlegeable comment available - see below for further information links. Settlements can be traced back to the Bronze Age, 2000 B.C. There were little or no building materials on the island besides stone so people took adavantge of the soft rock and took shelter inside it ( caves ) or under stone roofs. Pre-history, art was represented in mysterious constructions.
Prehistoric Menorca sites Photo Tour
Menorca Tip
Visit late afternoons when the light is best and heat of the day is over. They may have shut up the ticket office but you can still go in and visit . Visiting on a Sunday is generally free of charge.
Timeline
pre 1400 BC
Construction of burial monuments such as megalithic tombs and the collective tombs known as navetas. Navetas which are unique to Menorca and the most well known of which is Navets des Tudons ( 4 meters high, 14m long and 6.4m wide ) which can be visited just outside Ciutadella. Built from huge stone blocks they resemble an upturned boat from which the name derives. They have a doorway into a burial chamber where along with the bodies of the dead offerings such as bronze or china figures were left.
1400 BC
By 1400 B.C. large stone constructions known as talayots (defensive structures) were being built. Hence this period is referred to as The Talayotic Period. At this time there was also a development of large settlements like Torre d'en Galmès , Torre den Salord, Trepucó and Son Catlar. Each settlement had a single taula ( T shaped stone ) thought to be a monument of worship but still today much debated. As you can see below these taulas are quite something. The tallest of which stands at 4m in at Trepucò.
A Taula is made from two carefully cut stone slabs with one balanced on top of the other. The T-shaped structures were sometimes fixed together with a mortise and tenon joint and still defy gravity to this day.
Taula den Torralba den Salord (Alaior)
A Talayot is large tower built for observation using dry-stone walling techniques. Talayots (the local word for 'watch-towers') were constructed in various styles : circular, square, and also stepped forms.
All these things are best seen in pictures rather than words so enjoy our photo collection.
Historical Sites Island WEST
For mini downloadable guides, current opening times and entrance prices visit www.menorcamonumental.org
In the west of the island near to Ciutadella you will find more of the islands early historical sites.
Naveta des Tudons - Ancient monument, Son Catlar - prehistoric village, Cala Morells - extensive cave dwelling and burial chambers
Historical Sites Island - Central and EAST
For mini downloadable guides, current opening times and entrance prices visit www.menorcamonumental.org
In the East of the island near to Mahon you will find more of the islands historical legacy.
Torralba Den Salford,Torre d'en Gaumes,Trepuco - Ancient monument,settlements
Historical Sites Island - Central and East
For mini downloadable guides, current opening times and entrance prices visit www.menorcamonumental.org
