Fourth talayot discovered at Son Fornés site in Mallorca

▶

Key facts

• Discovery announced on September 6 at the Son Fornés archaeological site in Montuïri, Mallorca, one of the island's most important prehistoric settlements
• The fourth talayot was found hidden beneath vegetation when land was being cleared for the entrance to the new Son Fornés archaeological park museum
• Discovered under archaeological supervision by the Boleric Institute of Nature during vegetation clearance
• The first talayot was discovered by Vicenç Sanç 50 years ago in 1975
• Unlike the other three talayots, the new one sits in an elevated and highly visible part of the settlement
• Visible remains include two upper sections of a central column, part of a perimeter wall, and several large fallen stones
• Talayotic period dates to approximately 1500 BC until the Roman conquest in 123 BC
• Talayot 1 (1975) appears to have played an economic and social role with food distribution evidence; Talayot 2 (1981) had restricted access suggesting a cultic or religious function; Talayot 3 was extensively remodeled during the post-talayotic or Punic-Balearic period
• A three-week excavation campaign by six specialists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona was due to begin to determine the structure's shape (circular or square) and original function
• Researchers noted proximity to sites of Campanet, Moros, and Sabor, forming a possible geographical triangle of connected settlements

← All stories

AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.