Menorca - Day 6: Talati de Dalt

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We visited several of Menorca's fascinating archaeological sites over the course of our holiday (on top of the ones visited last year), but this one may have been my favourite; there are sites featuring caves, others featuring burial sites, and this particular site seemed to include examples of all the different styles of sites in one place! It had a central talaiot (the function of which is not well established, although their height and solid structure suggests that they may have been lookout or defensive towers), a ceremonial taula (inside a well preserved taula precinct), and various dwelling places including re-purposed caves, hypostyles, and stone-built houses. It was an amazing site to explore, and really gave a sense of the community structure and the way that people might have lived more than 3000 years ago.

We then moved on to the Navetes de Rafal Rubí, where two ossuaries were found; they are vast burial structures, which would both have been two stories high but one has lost its upper level. Many human remains were recovered from the site...

After a morning of inland archeological sites, we went to Calas Coves for a picnic lunch (with a view) and a swim, and to explore the many caves that give it its name. The bay features dozens of caves (linked by paths with arrows painted on the stone cliffs to guide you along!). Several of the caves seemed quite civilised (sufficiently so that authorities have given them metal doors to try to ward off squatters and long-term campers...), although one had developed defences of its own, which manifested themselves as an ominous humming sound before several wasps made it quite clear that we were unwelcome visitors... Many people seem to arrive at the cove by boat.

We supped at Cala Fons, a genuine fishing harbour near the mouth of Mahon.

Other pictures from this day can be found on Flickr (right from here).
Menorca album