Archaeology in Minorca

Select an historical monument in Minorca from the following list to view further information.

Mahon

• Talatí de Dalt
• Torelló and Es Fornàs
• Biniparratxet Petit
• Trepucó
• Sa Torreta

Ciutadella

• Naveta des Tudons
• Torre Trencada
• Torre Llafuda
• Caves of Cala Morell
• Son Catlar

Alaior

• Rafal Rubí
• Torralba
• Torre d'en Gaumés
• Basilica of Son Bou

The presence of many prehistoric monuments in the surrounding countryside generally surprises the new visitor. But contact with something that belongs to both the present and the distant past very soon enthrals whoever approaches and examines them. Time is needed to see all the excavations catalogued, but it is easy and highly advisable to see the main ones, since the skills of the ancient dwellers in the constructive use of stone are quite fascinating. The majority are well signposted and will be commented on in the following pages. Experts locate the earliest remains at around 2500 BC, but the most outstanding series corresponds to the Talayotic period. The settlements of that time lasted beyond the Roman colonisation, reached the Middle Ages and were even used to provide shelter for livestock in relatively recent times. Other monuments from bygone times have also survived until today, such as the Paleochristian basilicas of North African influence (Vandal reign of Carthage) and of Byzantine influence (Roman Empire of the Orient). There are remains of these in Son Bou, Illa del Rei, Es Fornàs, Cap des Port de Fornells and Illa d’en Colom. It is the prehistorically dated monuments where the uniqueness of some elements really stands out. They are the talayots, or tower-like monuments, located in the highest point of the settlements and seem to provide an improvement in the need for constant vigilance. In reality, they hide small funeral chambers. The small navetes, so-called as they appear to be inverted ship hulls, were used as sepulchres and ossuaries. Finally there are the taules, flat stones, which it is believed were connected to Tauric rites and that their simple layout, a crudely sculpted transversal block over another sunken into the ground – a simple taula or table – are among the most spectacular.