Binissafullet is a Talayotic settlement (Late

Bronze Age The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...

and

Iron Age The Iron Age () is the final epoch of the three historical Metal Ages, after the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. It has also been considered as the final age of the three-age division starting with prehistory (before recorded history) and progre ...

) which was occupied from the 10th century BC and had its height during the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. It is located in

Menorca Menorca or Minorca (from , later ''Minorica'') is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. Its name derives from its size, contrasting it with nearby Mallorca. Its capital is Maó, situated on the isl ...

, one of the

Balearic Islands The Balearic Islands are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The archipelago forms a Provinces of Spain, province and Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain, ...

. Medieval Islamic materials scattered around the site's surface suggest a later occupation during the

Medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

period. Binissafullet has several elements which are usually found in Talayotic settlements: a talayot, a

taula A taula (meaning 'table' in Catalan language, Catalan) is a Stonehenge-esque stone monument found on the Balearic Islands, Balearic island of Menorca. Taulas can be up to 5 metres high and consist of a vertical pillar (a monolith or several sma ...

enclosure, a hypostyle hall, dwellings, and silos. Taula Binissafullet

In 1988, the site was deforested. In 1990, its taula enclosure was excavated and restored. The taula, the main element inside the enclosure, was found on the ground during the excavations and later restored by replacing it in its upright position. Binissafullet's taula is unique due to its small dimensions and the small breadth of its vertical or supporting stone. Moreover, it is the only taula on

that has been erected after having been found on the ground. The other six taulas which still stand in their upright positions have withstood the passing of time since

Prehistory Prehistory, also called pre-literary history, is the period of human history between the first known use of stone tools by hominins million years ago and the beginning of recorded history with the invention of writing systems. The use ...

Excavations In archaeology, excavation is the exposure, processing and recording of archaeological remains. An excavation site or "dig" is the area being studied. These locations range from one to several areas at a time during a project and can be condu ...

conducted in the taula enclosure gave a lot of information about its use and the activities carried out inside. Fragments of Punic

amphorae An amphora (; ; English ) is a type of container with a pointed bottom and characteristic shape and size which fit tightly (and therefore safely) against each other in storage rooms and packages, tied together with rope and delivered by land ...

and faunal remains, mostly from sheep and goats, as well as remains of a hearth, indicate that ritual activities were probably performed in this building, where the consumption of

wine Wine is an alcoholic drink made from Fermentation in winemaking, fermented fruit. Yeast in winemaking, Yeast consumes the sugar in the fruit and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Wine is most often made f ...

and meat was important.Description of Binissafullet in ''official website of Talayotic Minorca''
/ref> All the artifacts and other remains located in these excavations are currently kept in the

Museum A museum is an institution dedicated to displaying or Preservation (library and archive), preserving culturally or scientifically significant objects. Many museums have exhibitions of these objects on public display, and some have private colle ...

of Menorca (Museu de Menorca). It is one of 32 sites that form part of the nomination series of Talayotic Minorca to become a

World Heritage World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an treaty, international treaty administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural ...

site by

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

How to get there

The site is located in road Me-10 which connects

Sant Lluís Sant Lluís (, in Spanish: San Luis) is a municipality on the tip of south-east Menorca in the Spanish Balearic Islands. The area is most noteworthy for its varied coastline, with fine sand beaches and cliffs, and the beautiful coves of Binissaf� ...

and Binissafúller's residential area. By following the direction towards Binissafúller, the site is located in km point 2,3 which is opposite the diversion to the left that leads to the said residential area. At this point, the site can be easily seen from the road itself.

References

Bibliography

{{cite book , first= F., last= Isbert, title= La taula de Binesafullet. Una interesante restauración. Revista de Arqueología, 149: 10-15, year = 1993

External links

Official website of Talayotic Minorca's nomination to become a World Heritage Site
Prehistory of the Balearic Islands Bronze Age Spain Iron Age Spain