In their latest study, published in the prestigious journal
Zephyrus, archaeologists Cristina Bravo, Irene Riudavets and Antoni Ferrer reveal new findings in the taula enclosure of the Talayotic settlement of Sa Cudia Cremada, in Maó. Zephyrus is a biannual journal of Prehistory and Archaeology founded in 1950 and published by Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca that provides a platform for original research, scientific news and significant archaeological finds from around the world.
In this work, entitled
‘Objetos líticos en contextos rituales de la segunda Edad del Hierro en Menorca (500-123 BC): el caso del recinto de taula de Sa Cudia Cremada’, the authors have investigated the lithic instruments found in the taula enclosure of Sa Cudia Cremada. In this ritual space, used during the Second Iron Age, tools such as grinders and hammers, typical of domestic structures from the same period, have been recovered. All of these materials are deposited at the Museu de Menorca.
Through the morphotypological study and spatial distribution of these objects, and by comparing them with lithic tools from contemporary dwellings, they propose new interpretations of their significance in the sacred context of the enclosure.
The results support the hypothesis of a
parallelism between religious and domestic spaces, highlighting the symbolic importance of these objects, as suggested by previous research. In addition, they have identified the abundant presence of small pebbles in front of the central element of the enclosure, suggesting the
performance of a ritual hitherto unknown in other taula enclosures.
The publication in Zephyrus allows researchers and archaeological enthusiasts unrestricted access to this study. This publication in a prestigious journal reinforces the value and visibility of the findings on the Talayotic culture in the global scientific community.