The Talayotic settlement of Sa Cudia Cremada, located in the municipality of Maó, is the focus of a
new conservation and enhancement project led by the Talayotic Menorca Agency and the association Voluntariat de Camins i Jaciments de Menorca. This initiative, which includes archaeological oversight, involves a series of clearing sessions at this prehistoric site, which is of notable scientific importance.
On Saturday, April 12, the Island Director of Cultural Affairs of the Consell Insular de Menorca, Jaume Reurer, visited the site to gain a firsthand understanding of the work being carried out by volunteers and to highlight the value of the project. During the visit to the site, he was accompanied by Gonçal Seguí, president of Voluntariat de Camins i Jaciments de Menorca.
Reurer expressed the Consell’s commitment to local heritage and acknowledged the dedication of the volunteers: "With this project, we not only protect an archaeological site of great value, but we also promote active civic engagement in the conservation of our legacy. Volunteering, when well-coordinated and trained, becomes an essential tool for preserving and understanding who we are."
The work underway at Sa Cudia Cremada includes
clearing the two main talayots of the settlement and the area surrounding the taula enclosure, as well as restoring a northern access path to allow livestock passage without crossing over archaeological structures. This separate access route will help prevent potential damage to excavated and restored features from recent campaigns, and it will foster greater compatibility between the site's agricultural use and its heritage value.
Sa Cudia Cremada
Sa Cudia Cremada is a site of significant complexity and interest. Located between Maó and Sant Climent, it includes a range of structures in the area known as Sa Pleta de Sa Talaia. These include two talayots—one large, possibly with a staircase, and another smaller with adjoining constructions—as well as a monumental taula enclosure that has been the subject of intensive research between 2015 and 2021. In addition to the main monuments, other preserved elements include hypogea, cisterns, walls, and dry-stone architecture, reflecting long-term occupation and use of the territory.
The current project builds upon a
scientific initiative which, in recent years, has documented previously
unknown ritual practices, unique architectural elements, and construction strategies characteristic of the Late Talayotic period. Although it is not included among the sites designated as UNESCO World Heritage, Sa Cudia Cremada remains a key reference for archaeological research on the island.
With this initiative, the Menorca Talayotic Agency reaffirms its commitment to the conservation of Menorca’s cultural assets, promoting collaboration among public institutions, heritage professionals, and community-based organizations. The volunteer work, coordinated by Voluntariat de Camins i Jaciments de Menorca, plays a pivotal role, contributing to a model of conservation that is both responsible and community-oriented.
Call for Participation
The Talayotic Menorca Agency and the association Voluntariat de Camins i Jaciments de Menorca are inviting all those interested in heritage conservation to take part in upcoming sessions. Public involvement is crucial to ensuring the preservation of a site that forms an integral part of the island’s shared historical legacy.
- Upcoming sessions: May 10 and June 7 (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
- Location: Sa Cudia Cremada (Maó)
- Further information and registration: voluntariatcijmenorca@gmail.com