The excavation campaign at Sa Mitja Lluna came to an end on August 30, marking an important milestone in the archaeological research of this prehistoric mining site. This campaign, which took place between August 13 and 30, is the first of the second
five-year project led by the ArqueoUIB group in collaboration with the University of Seville.
Under the co-direction of María Calderón, Bartomeu Llull, Laura Perelló and Mark Hunt, and with the financial support of the Consell Insular de Menorca, the project that began in 2010 continues to provide new information about this unique site.
One of the novelties of this campaign has been the use of advanced technology to prospect the terrain. On August 7, a
georadar survey was carried out in the two main mining areas. This non-invasive method is essential for locating cavities, fills and other traces of mining activity without the need to disturb the subsoil. Under the supervision of Dr. Cornelius Meyer, a specialist in Geophysics and Archaeology, this analysis has been carried out, which will allow more informed decisions to be made about future interventions at the site.
In terms of material findings, the 2024 campaign has been particularly fruitful. Among the discoveries are
lithic tools used as pestles and mortars for the extraction and processing of minerals, along with
ceramic fragments that align with C14 dating and carbonised wood remains. These finds not only add to the understanding of the mining technology used at Sa Mitja Lluna, but also provide key information about the daily lives of those who worked at this site millennia ago.
Excavations in the southern sector of the site have been prioritised in recent campaigns, and the results are revealing. Beneath the mine dumps, a trench has been discovered, oriented from west to east, following the vein of ore. Although the exact dimensions of this trench have yet to be determined, all indications are that the workings in this area were more significant than initially thought. In addition, more ceramic remains have been found in the south than in the north, suggesting that other activities such as cooking or water storage were carried out at the foot of the mine.
One of the most outstanding peculiarities of this area is the abundance of lithic tools, especially large ore boulders, some of which weigh more than 20 kg. These tools, made from local rocks, have different types and marks of use that indicate their multiple functions in the mineral extraction and selection process. The diversity and complexity of these tools suggest an organised and specialised working system, which will undoubtedly be the subject of more detailed studies in the future.
In conclusion, the advances made in the 2024 campaign confirm that the size and importance of the mining work in the southern area of Sa Mitja Lluna are comparable to, if not greater than, those in the northern sector. These discoveries not only enrich our knowledge of prehistoric mining in Menorca, but also open up new lines of research for future campaigns. With each excavation, we are one step closer to unravelling the life and work of the people who inhabited this unique enclave.
A World Heritage Site
Sa Mitja Lluna is a copper mine exploited during the Bronze Age (1700-900 BC) and stands out as the only prehistoric mining site documented in the Balearic Islands. Located on Illa d'en Colom, in the east of Menorca, this mine is part of the S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park and is part of Component 9 of Talayotic Menorca, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.
Excavations have revealed that Sa Mitja Lluna was a copper extraction centre from 1700 BC to 900 BC, with no evidence of later exploitation. Its excellent state of preservation is due to its minor economic interest in later times.
Although it was not the main source of copper in the archipelago, it represents
a unique example of prehistoric mining technology in Menorca, crucial for understanding the technical operational chain of the period.