The book Torralba d'en Salort. Taula enclousures, the iron age sanctuaries of Menorca, the fifth monograph of the Sitjot collection, was presented on December 3rd at the Museu de Menorca with the participation of the conseller of Cultural Affairs, Miquel Àngel Maria, and the two authors, the archaeologists Cristina Bravo and Irene Riudavets. The edition includes an introduction by the archaeologist Antoni Ferrer. The Sitjot collection aims to disseminate the richness 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 facilitate its comprehension.
During his speech, the conseller of Cultural Affairs highlighted the importance of this publication: "A monograph on the taula enclosures, unique in the world and one of the most characteristic manifestations of Menorcan Talayotic culture, was necessary." Miquel Àngel Maria remarked that the two authors are archaeologists and at the same time managers of the Torralba d'en Salort settlement with their company Nurarq: “Now more than ever, we see the need to diversify the Menorcan economy. One of way of doing so would be through the arts and the management of cultural heritage. A management model such as Nurarq’s helps to show that it is not only an important cultural activity, it is also an economic activity.” The fact that the two authors have been part of the excavation project of the taula de sa Cudia Cremada site and their research work in Torralba since 2015, gives them scientific authority to talk about these peculiar Talayotic enclosures.
The world of taula enclosures
In Torralba d'en Salort. Taula enclousures, the iron age sanctuaries of Menorca, readers will be able to 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.
In addition to an introduction on the Prehistory of Menorca, in this book we embark on a journey through the different explorations done in taula enclosures, their architectural characteristics and the associated religious cults and rituals. Finally, the authors focus on the town of Torralba d'en Salort with a detailed description of its main points of interest and the multiple explorations done in the settlement, including those carried out since 2018 by the Associació d’Amics de Torralba, which have returned the original monumentality to the complex.
On a curios note about this edition, Cristina Bravo highlighted the photos of the town in the 70s contributed by Salvatore Trento, a North American archaeologist who participated in the excavations carried out by William Waldren and Manuel Fernández-Miranda. Trento, a student at that time, was the one who found the famous bronze ox from Torralba, exhibited today in the Museu de Menorca.
The other four titles in the Sitjot collection
The Sitjot collection started in 2018 with the monograph Torre d'en Galmés. Territorial control of prehistoric Menorca, an update of the book of 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 collects the current knowledge 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.
Where to find Sitjot publications
These monographs are published in three languages: Catalan, Spanish and English. The aim is to make them interesting both for Menorcans and for tourists who come to the island, especially for those who visit museums and archaeological sites. The monograph on Torralba d'en Salort will be available at the Museu de Menorca, in Can Saura and at the site's visitor information and control point. The publication of these books has the support of the Conselleria of the Presidency, Culture and Equality of the Government of the Balearic Islands.