The book
Discover Talayotic Menorca with Laia and Tau, the
sixth edition in the Sitjot collection and the first aimed for children, was presented this morning, May 17, at the Consell Insular de Menorca by the vice-president and consller of Cultural Affairs, Miquel Àngel Maria; and its author, the illustrator and archaeologist from Ciudadela
Andreu Torres.
This edition is intended to be kids first contact with Talayotic culture, from the first settlers to the conquest of the island by the Roman army. A journey through all of Menorcan prehistory accompanied by Laia and Tau. Kids will learn about how they lived, what they ate, where they buried their dead and many more curiosities.
During his speech, Miquel Àngel Maria highlighted that there are already other publications on Menorca’s prehistoric times for children, but that
a general presentation of Talayotic Menorca within the context of the World Heritage candidacy specifically aimed at children was lacking. “Andreu Torres' book goes beyond this need, it is a very good book, which will undoubtedly interest the youngest among us, but its didactic vocation and the abundance of illustrations will also delight the adult reader. It’s perfect for learning about Menorca’s prehistory as a family, whether you’re from the island or just visiting”.
On his part, the author of the book expressed his enthusiasm for having made this project a reality: “I had it in my head for a long time and aided by Cultural Rescue it has finally become a reality. I hope it helps our youngest, both Menorcans and visitors, to feel curiosity by our past and learn to love our heritage”.
Sitjot aims to
spread the wealth of Menorcan historical and archaeological heritage among a non-specialized public. With a marked informative character, but always respecting scientific rigor, these monographs incorporate illustrations and other visual resources to make the information more comprehensible. Even though the Catalan edition has been presented alone today,
Discover Talayotic Menorca with Laia and Tau is also available, like the rest of the collection, in Spanish and English.
The intention is that these monographs may be of interest not only to Menorcans, but also to tourists who come to the island, especially those who visit museums. That is why both Discover Talayotic Menorca with Laia and Tau and the rest of the collection are available at the Museu de Menorca and at Can Saura.
This children's book has been financed by Cultural Rescue launched by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Consell Insular during the pandemic, and has the support of the Department of European Funds, University and Culture of the Government of the Balearic Islands.
The other five titles in the collection
The Sitjot collection started in 2018 with
Torre d'en Galmés. Territorial control of prehistoric Menorca, an update of the book with the same title published by the Consell Insular de Menorca in 2007. This new edition, also edited by archaeologists Carmen Lara, Joaquim Pons, Gustau Juan and Antoni Ferrer, presents the findings of the excavations carried out up to 2018 in Torre d'en Galmés.
In
Es Tudons naveta. Monuments and funeral rites during the final bronze age in Menorca, the author Simón Gornés compiles the current understanding about this type of buildings, exclusive to Menorca. Another of Sitjot's volumes is also dedicated to funeral rituals, but with a transversal vision that embraces the Prehistory and history of the island. This book, which is entitled
May the earth rest lightly on you. A story of death in Menorca, is based on the exhibition that can currently be seen in Can Saura (Ciutadella). The authors are Elena Sintes and María José León.
The title
Promontories and fortifications. Coastal settlements of the bronze age in Mallorca and Menorca is also related to an exhibition. In the book, the new data collected in the excavations of Cala Morell (Ciutadella) and sa Ferradura (Manacor, Mallorca) settlements are disclosed. Montserrat Anglada, María José León, Damià Ramis and Magdalena Salas coordinated the edition.
Sitjot's fifth book was
Torralba d'en Salort. Taula enclousures, the iron age sanctuaries of Menorca, presented in 2020, where readers will discover the world behind these unique monuments only found in Menorca. Today, a total of 31 taula enclosures are safely documented on the island. Built during the Iron Age, they were used until the end of the Roman conquest of Menorca, around 123 BC. Archaeologists Irene Riudavets and Cristina Bravo take a tour of the different archaeological interventions in taula enclosures, their architectural characteristics and religious cults and rituals. Finally, the authors focus on Torralba d'en Salort, with a detailed description of its main points of interest and the history of its investigations.