The public presentation will take place on 6 June at 12:00 pm at the Son Catlar archaeological site in Ciutadella

The Island Council of Menorca has published a new volume in its Sitjot collection, an initiative aimed at promoting the island’s historical and archaeological heritage through a combination of academic rigour and accessible storytelling. The latest publication focuses on the archaeological site of Son Catlar and has been written by researchers Helena Jiménez Vialás, María José León Moll, Fernando Prados Martínez and Joan Carles de Nicolás i Mascaró. The book brings together the latest research and current understanding of one of Menorca’s most important heritage sites.

Entitled An Archaeological Journey Through Son Catlar: Talayotic, Punic and Roman, the book is designed to help both residents and visitors better appreciate the site's historical, archaeological and landscape significance. Son Catlar stands out not only for its remarkable state of preservation but also for its impressive defensive wall, one of the most monumental structures of its kind on the island. Conceived as an accessible guide, the publication accompanies visitors on both physical and virtual tours of the settlement while summarising many of the key findings from recent years of archaeological research.

One of Son Catlar’s most remarkable features is its extraordinary archaeological potential. Evidence uncovered at the site reveals an occupation sequence spanning nearly 4,000 years, from the earliest traces of the Bronze Age through to agricultural and livestock activities in the modern era. This uninterrupted history makes Son Catlar an invaluable resource for understanding how Menorca’s communities have evolved over the centuries.

The publication includes the results of archaeological investigations carried out by its authors since 2016. Excavation campaigns have focused primarily on the settlement’s fortification wall and gateways and have been complemented by field surveys, architectural studies and non-invasive research techniques, providing a more comprehensive picture of both the settlement and its surrounding landscape.

"The publication also highlights Son Catlar’s importance within the Menorca Talayotic landscape, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in September 2023. Together with other major publicly owned settlements such as Trepucó and Torre d’en Galmés, Son Catlar helps complete the island’s archaeological map and strengthens Menorca’s standing as an international benchmark for the preservation and study of prehistoric heritage," said Joan Pons Torres, Menorca’s Councillor for Culture, Education, Youth and Sports.

The official launch of the book will take place on Saturday, 6 June, at 12:00 pm at the Son Catlar archaeological site. The event will open with remarks by Councillor Joan Pons Torres, followed by a presentation of the publication by authors Helena Jiménez Vialás, María José León Moll and Fernando Prados Martínez.

Following the presentation, the researchers will lead a guided tour of the site, giving attendees the opportunity to explore some of Son Catlar’s most significant features firsthand. The tour will include five key stops: the site entrance, where an overview of the settlement will be provided; the eastern tower; the northern gate; the taula enclosure; and the famous bent entrance, one of the settlement’s most distinctive architectural features.

"This publication is the result of the work of leading researchers and offers a new opportunity for both residents and visitors to discover one of Menorca’s most emblematic archaeological sites through scientific knowledge and direct engagement with the landscape," Pons Torres concluded.