The Cova de Biniedrís cave is found on the eastern bank of the ravine of the same name. It is part of the funerary complex of Calescoves and, along with other caves like Es Mussol, Es Càrritx and Es Pas, it stands out for showing a particular funerary standard from the island and for its excellent state of conservation.
Schedule: This site is not open for visitation.
Price:
Open: No
Access:
Car Park:
Guided tours:
Contact:
Services: No
Access for individuals with reduced mobility: No
More information See map
More information:
The first settlers
Research on the Biniedrís cave is relatively recent and has come to exist thanks to a research project funded by the Fundació Rubió i Tudurí and headed up by the researchers Eva Alarcón, Auxilio Moreno and Marta Díaz-Zorita, from the University of Granada. The cave was first discovered in mid-2013 by a group of speleologists who lowered themselves 1.5 m down the rock face of the Biniedrís ravine, to then step inside a cavity they found within the rock. Initially, they believed it to be the so-called Cova des Gegant (the Giant’s cave), although soon after it was confirmed that this was another archaeological site.
Access to the cave is quite challenging, as it is located within the ravine’s vertical wall, a fact that has helped keep its stratigraphic sequence unaltered since the time of the ritualistic practices performed here approximately three thousand years ago, with the exception of the central section of the cave, which at some point in history was subjected to a clandestine intrusion.
The cave is made up of but one chamber that covers 8 m², in which a substantial amount of human bone remains were found, in no apparent anatomical position, although somehow showing a certain order. The largest concentration of these remains was found at the innermost section of the chamber and to either side of the cave’s entrance, one of which showed an area delimited and divided from the rest by wooden logs that clearly defined a separation for the ritualistic area. This section revealed the skulls of at least 18 individuals in two parallel lines.
During the excavation process carried out in 2015, 940 human remains were recovered, both female and male, and from individuals that ranged in age from one month to over fifty years old, many of which still conserved some remains of attached tissue. Also found were the remains of wooden objects, highlighting two small combs, as well as metallic, ceramic and other items.
The data collected has provided substantial information regarding the population that occupied the ritualistic area of Biniedrís. Preliminary results lead to the conclusion that this was a particular social group, as all of the deceased individuals, no matter what their age or sex, were buried in the cave accompanied by their personal objects, hence denoting and affirming their identity both on an individual and a collective level.