The caves of the Cala Morell necropolis

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Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
21 March 2024 Thursday 22:52
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The caves of the Cala Morell necropolis

* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia

Cala Morell is a small natural port on the north coast of Ciudadela, in Menorca, where we find this incredible necropolis, of great beauty, which I have portrayed for La Vanguardia's Readers' Photos.

It is a set of 14 caves artificially excavated in the rock of a small ravine and which form one of the largest and most spectacular prehistoric cemeteries on the island.

The oldest caves are small with a circular floor plan and hemispherical roof and the later ones are the largest and most monumental. They imitate the circular houses of the post-Talayotic period (650 – 123 BC) with differentiated spaces by means of pilasters, steps and columns.

Some have small patios in front of their portal. The most spectacular cave of all features classical architectural motifs in relief on its façade.

This necropolis was in use as a cemetery from the Naviform era (1700 BC) to the 2nd century AD. C. It presents two clear phases of occupation: one during the Bronze Age and another during the final Talayotic or Post-Alayotic period, which extends until Roman times, until the 2nd century.

Another element well represented in the Cala Morell necropolis are the Moorish capades. These are 22 oval cavities, with a rounded bottom, excavated in a section of about 20 meters of the ravine wall. They are related to the funerary world of the Talayotic communities.