Quinquennial Project 2019-2023 of the archaeological intervention in sa Mola hypogeum (Alaior).
Location:Sa Mola hypogeum (Alaior)
Project managers:Montserrat Anglada Fontestad and Octavio Pons Machado
Team:- Photogrammetry and software: Bruno Parés
- Anthropologyc study: Thaïs Fadrique
- Sediment flotation and carpological study: Dr. Guillem Pérez, CSIC, University of Valencia
- Anthracology study: Dr. Lorenzo Picornell, UIB
- Pollen study: Dr. Gabriel Servera, UIB
- Archaeozoology study: Dr. Damià Ramis
- Analysis of lime residues: Dr. Mark Van Strydonck
- Carbon 14: Dr. Mathieu Boudin, Royal du Patrimoine du Bruxelles Institute
- Phytoliths analysis: Dra. Marta Portillo, Instituto Milà i Fontanals, CSIC
- Biochemical analysis: Dra. Eva Alarcón, UG
- Microsedimentology: Dr. Carlos Verdasco, UV
- Pottery studio: Octavi Pons and Montserrat Anglada, Museo de Menorca, and Sara Santaella (predoctoral UA)
- Archaeometallurgy: Dr. Nicolau Escanilla
- Conservation in situ: Montserrat Anglada, Museum of Menorca
- Laboratory conservation: Alícia Ciudad, Museum of Menorca
Scientific objectives:
- Understand and analyze the funeral practices carried out in sa Mola hypogeum.
- Advance in the knowledge about the human communities that used this hypogeum, reconstructing their social practices.
- Obtain data that allows us to understand the temporality and functionality of the hypogeum and its auxiliary structures.
- Advance in the knowledge of the hypogeism phenomenon during the last phases of Menorca’s prehistory.
- Reveal the results obtained using the Museu de Menorca communication channels.
Results obtained:Although this is a global intervention project, the research is currently focused on the front yard of the sa Mola hypogeum. The Museu de Menorca's intention was to retake the interventions carried out by Joan Flaquer between 1915 and 1916, in which he located a deposit of cups that led archaeologists of the time to interpret that the hypogeum could be a sanctuary dedicated to some kind of divinity.
The current knowledge about Menorca’s prehistory and the application of the new archaeological techniques have allowed for the reinterpretation of the site in a general way. Currently, we have a photogrammetric survey of the hypogeum that has allowed us to obtain a 3D model of the archaeological site, serving as a starting point for the documentation of the archaeological intervention.
The two-year excavation has led to several conclusions: it has been confirmed that the place where Flaquer located the cups is the front patio of the hypogeum. From a first exploration carried out in this courtyard in 2019, the deposit found by Flaquer could be reinterpreted to be a funeral deposit originally located inside the hypogeum. Furthermore, a primary deposit of more than 50 cups (most of them with a high bottom) was found in the courtyard, dated between the III and II centuries BC. It was accompanied by remains of fauna bones. The whole thing was interlaced in lime. In a preliminary study phase, this fact would evidence that these are the material remains of a social practice related to commensalism and offerings in honor of the deceased that would have been encapsulated in the same front yard. The recovered materials are currently being studied.
Supporting entities:Museu de Menorca