SA CUDIA CREMADA ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT
Location: Taula enclosure at the Talayotic settlement of Sa Cudia Cremada
Project managers:Cristina BRAVO, Irene RIUDAVETS
Team:Conservation-Restoration:
Bernat BURGAYA
Margalida MUNAR
Researchers responsible for analysis and specialised studies:
Graphic documentation and SIG: Gerard REMOLINS
Radiocarbon dating: Dr. Mark VAN STRYDONCK
Phytoliths: Dr. Marta PORTILLO
Anthracology: Dr. Llorenç PICORNELL
Roman ceramics: Cristina BRAVO
Indigenous ceramics: Irene RIUDAVETS
Protohistoric imported materials: Irene RIUDAVETS and Cristina BRAVO
Lithic materials: Antoni FERRER
Malacology: Dr. Guillem Xavier PONS
Archaeozoology: Dr. Damià RAMIS
Metals: Dr. Pau SUREDA
Carpology: Dr. Guillem PÉREZ
Physical anthropology: Dr. Bibiana AGUSTÍ
Scientific objectives:
The archaeological site, within Mahón’s municipality, is located in a rural area where several archaeological elements can be found in a great state of preservation. The architectural remains that can be easily seen in this area form part of a Talayotic settlement which had three talayots and an apse-shaped building, among other elements. This apse-shaped building is the focus of this research project, which started in 2015.
The scientific goals are:
- To gain more knowledge of the Talayotic society and of the human settlements during the period when this building was used. Furthermore, the social transformations undergone because of the more frequent contacts with other peoples in the context of the Ancient Mediterranean are also of great interest.
- To obtain information that allows us to learn about the relationship of this community with its immediate environment, both natural and social, as well as with other similar social groups.
- To obtain data to allow us to date and to understand the use of the building and its evolution, as well as the evolution of the communities who used it over the centuries.
- To obtain data about the temporality and functionality of the building in order to understand its evolution as well as the communities that used it over time.
- To establish a comparative framework with other religious buildings on the island, but also to establish parallels in the supra-island context.
- To understand and analyse the rituals performed in the building in order to gain an insight into the religiosity of the human community that inhabited the settlement during the late Talayotic period.
Results obtained:During the first five-year project (2015-2020), the entire interior of the taula enclosure was excavated and restored. It was found that the structure was in better condition than it initially appeared; the height of the perimeter wall was preserved and in some sections it was almost two metres high.
During the interventions, the various elements that form part of this type of sanctuary were documented, such as the chimney at the front, several small benches attached to the walls, the betil at the entrance and the iconostasis pilaster. As a distinguishing feature, a double altar was found in the apse area, associated with a combustion structure containing a large collection of faunal remains. All of this is indicative of the diverse activities related to rituals and cults associated with the religiosity of the Talayotic community of the Second Iron Age in Menorca. It was determined that the building was intentionally abandoned towards the end of the 3rd century BC and was never used again. The taula was not found complete. The supporting stone was in place, but broken at the top, and the capital stone has not been located.
A second five-year project has been launched in 2023, during which the area around the building has been excavated in an attempt to better understand the configuration of the central space of the settlements and the role of the sanctuary.
Supporting entities:Associació Menorca Arqueologia i Cultura
Collaborating organisations:
Consell Insular de Menorca
Sa Cudia Cremada SRM