Archaeological research on a copper mine dating to the Bronze Age; the only of its kind documented to date in the Balearic Islands.
Location:Illa d’en Colom islet (Es Grau, Maó)
Project managers:Prof. Bartomeu Llull Estarellas;
Prof. Dr. Mark Hunt Ortíz;
Dra. Laura Perelló Mateo;
Dra. María Calderón Díaz
Team:Simón Gornés Hachero, Jaume García Rosselló, Llorenç Picornell Gelabert, Gabriel Servera Vives, Lua Valenzuela Suau, María Alejandra Galmés Alba, Emmanuelle Gloaguen Murias, David Javaloyas Molina, Javier Rivas Ortiz, Miquel Àngel Salvà Cantarellas, Paloma Salvador Gómez-Grandoli, Victoria Elvira Cantarellas Alcalá, Nina Laming López, Natalia Sainz Tapia, Samanta Fontirroig Carrió, Daniel Albero Santacreu, Cornelius Meyer, Olga Sánchez Liranzo and Manuel Calvo Trias.
Scientific objectives:
• Gain a thorough understanding of the initial phases of the Technical Chaîne Opératoire of mining and metallurgy during the Bronze Age at the site and its repercussions in the Balearic Island archipelago.
• Comprehend strategies of mining and consumption of minerals/metals in Balearic Bronze Age communities.
• Obtain information, through this site, on the social organisation of the human group or groups that frequented the mine.
• Associate this prehistoric mine with the possible community(ies) or settlement(s) that frequented it, so as to obtain information regarding the territorial organisation and geography of metallurgic processes, of which no evidence has been documented in the mining area.
• Compare the economic, social and technological functionality of the island’s prehistoric communities with that of other Mediterranean islands and archipelagos.
• Expand knowledge regarding Menorcan Bronze Age societies, delving further into the cultural construction and perception of the panorama of these societies and, within this social context, the integration of the Illa d’en Colom site.
Results obtained:Campaigns carried out until present have allowed for the verification of copper mining at Sa Mitja Lluna in prehistoric times. Both radiocarbon dating and archaeological materials have confirmed that the mine was used between 1800 and 900 BC approximately.
The site consists of large piles of rubble left behind from mining activities, among which we find stone tools used as pestles and mortars to break apart the rock and crush the mineral, as well as ceramic fragments that are in line with the radiocarbon dating and the remains of carbonised wood. Some of the elements discovered between 2012 and 2014 are on display in the exhibition halls of the Museum of Menorca.
The excavation of the north dump discovered a trench that was likely formed through the mining of a strip of copper mineral (primary chalcopyrite and minerals of secondary formation, oxides and carbonates), that was later covered by rubble from intensive mining activity during a subsequent phase of operations. The southern dump is notable for the large amount of pottery recovered in comparison with the northern part of the site, showing evidence of subsistence activities at the foot of the mine, such as the storage of water or simple food processing work during mining operations. In recent years, also in this area, another trench has been documented, the exact dimensions of which are still unknown. The frequency of large sledgehammers at this site is also characteristic.
Although substantial research work remains to be done, the tasks carried out to date at Sa Mitja Lluna, and those related to it, have resulted in a notable stimulus in prehistoric mining studies in the Balearic Islands and a deeper knowledge regarding the basic aspects of the technology and organisation of Bronze Age societies.
The analysis of origin and distribution using lead isotopes established possible relationships between this mineral deposit and some metal objects from Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
Supporting entities:University of the Balearic Islands
University of Seville
Consell Insular de Menorca