ARCHEOLOGY AND HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
Location:Cornia Nou talayotic settlement.
Project managers:
Team:Directors: Lluís Plantalamor, Antoni Ferrer, Montserrat Anglada i Damià Ramis.
Team: Peter Hochsieder, Guy de Mulder i Herlinde Borms
Sedimentology: Carlos Verdasco.
C14 Datings: Mark Van Strydonckv.
Anthropology: Thaïs Fadrique.
Studies of polylithic structures: Yolanda Llergo.
Studies of phytolithic structures: Marta Portillo.
Carpology: Llorenç Picornell.
Malacology: Josep Quintana.
Zooarchaeology: Damià Ramis.
Scientific objectives:From 2008 on, research at the archaeological site of Cornia Nou has focused on the western sector of the settlement with the large talayot and the building adjoining its southern face.
Excavation of the upper part of the talayot will allow us to establish whether both this and the building were in operation simultaneously, and if it forms part of the same functional complex. In this respect it should be recalled that the function of the Minorcan talayots is still unclear.
Excavation of the western talayot will give more accurate information on the shape and dimensions of the structures that can currently be seen in the upper part; without ruling out the possibility that entrances to chambers situated at lower levels may appear. The opening that can be observed on the base of the eastern side of the talayot leads to a stairway that connects with the upper part.
The study of the materials and analysis of the data compiled during excavation may allows us to speculate what activities were carried out in the talayot; and may suggest a specific function for talayots with similar characteristics to this building.
Results obtained:Excavation of the southern building adjoining the western talayot of Cornia Nou has verified that the building was certainly a centre for processing and storage of agricultural produce, in the context of a community with a centralised productive system. The hypothesis presented from this data is that the human group who built and used the southern building already experienced a degree of social stratification. In this respect, the accumulation of tools and products in the southern building would have permitted some sectors of the community to take over management of surplus food, and not redistributing it equally between group members. The control that this élite exercised over the workforce would be reflected and justified in the architectural monumentality of the complex.
Apart from this, the next tasks of excavation at the western talayot will let us add to the data obtained from the earlier project in the southern building. Radiocarbon datings carried out to date indicate that the building excavated was already in use at an indeterminate time around 1100-900 B.C. Given that this building adjoins the western talayot, the time of construction of the talayot must also lie within this interval or later.
Supporting entities:Archeology and heritage association