Things to do in Minorca II - The megalithic sites

Menorca is a relatively small island. However, its 700 km2 conceal more than 1,500 megalithic settlements, making the island a veritable open-air museum. 

Today we are going to get to know these giants a little better.

Map of archaeological sites in Menorca

A bit of history

The first settlers of Menorca arrived on the island approximately 2,300 years BC, that is, in the Early Bronze Age. These new inhabitants brought with them megalithic constructions, i.e. cyclopean stone constructions that were already found all over Europe at that time, but the island's insularity led to a differentiation that made the island's constructions unique, as we will see below.

Dwelling-naveta settlements period - Naviform

During the second millennium BC, stone constructions of a naviform nature began to develop. Some were built as dwellings and others (the larger ones) as megalithic tombs to bury their dead.

Naveta des Tudons

The early Talayotic period

At the end of the second millennium, everything changed: the houses and settlements grew and the figures of the "Talayots" appeared. These were monumental public figures built in stone in the form of a tower. Their function is not very clear, but as they are in high places with good visibility, it is thought that they could have a defensive character or they could be a demonstration of power, although it is not yet known for sure.

Talaiot of Cornià Nou

The late Talayotic period

Around 500 BC, the first "Taula" sites appeared in the settlements. The "taulas" (tables in Menorcan) are also cyclopean stone constructions, in the shape of a "T", which occupy the central area of a circular enclosure that was where the inhabitants of the village performed their religious rites. We have several theories about what the "Taula" could be, although the two most accepted ones postulate that either its shape is due to the simplification of a bull's head or it could be a mystical door to contact their ancestors or gods.

Taula de Talatí

The necropolis

The first necropolises also appeared in the Late Talayotic period. They are authentic cities dug out of the stones that were used to bury the dead and left the navetas (burial chambers) in disuse.

Necropolis of Cala Morell

World Heritage Site

At the moment, Menorca is opting for the title of World Heritage by UNESCO due to the quality and quantity of these sites.

Which monuments to visit and how

The best thing to do is to consult the official website of the Consell Insular de Menorca where you will find all the information on the subject: 

https://menorcatalayotica.info/en/TalayoticMenorca