Post by pigeonpie on Aug 29, 2009 21:38:02 GMT
Calascoves
Calascoves is a natural spot, shaped by two inlets from the sea, on the south coast of Menorca, in the township of Alaior.
The rock faces of the coves are shaped by the lime stone cliffs, a fact which was made good use of by the prehistoric inhabitants of Menorca to hollow out almost a hundred caves in which they carried out their burials.
For this reason Calascoves is the most spectacular talayotic necropolis of caves in the Balearic Islands. In Roman times the cove was not used as a necropolis although it continued to be visited as a place of pilgrimage. This fact has been verified by inscriptions from the time, found on the walls of one of the caves. The coves were also used as a disembarking spot and as a place for anchorage from the IV century B.C. to the VI century A.D.
In 1931 the necropolis was declared an artistic historical monument.
Not all the caves were excavated at the same time and for this reason their shapes or structures are different. From the shape of the caves and the personal objects which were found at the burial places, and which can be seen exhibited at the Museum of Menorca, one can appreciate the talayotic culture of Menorca. The archaeological pieces found in the different caves give us a chronology from the IX century B.C to the Roman era.
The caves which predominate are those with a customary patio at the entrance also chipped from the rock with a rectangular door often decorated which cornices and with a kidney shaped interior. A pillar backed on to the walls which serves as a separation of spaces.
Calascoves is a natural spot, shaped by two inlets from the sea, on the south coast of Menorca, in the township of Alaior.
The rock faces of the coves are shaped by the lime stone cliffs, a fact which was made good use of by the prehistoric inhabitants of Menorca to hollow out almost a hundred caves in which they carried out their burials.
For this reason Calascoves is the most spectacular talayotic necropolis of caves in the Balearic Islands. In Roman times the cove was not used as a necropolis although it continued to be visited as a place of pilgrimage. This fact has been verified by inscriptions from the time, found on the walls of one of the caves. The coves were also used as a disembarking spot and as a place for anchorage from the IV century B.C. to the VI century A.D.
In 1931 the necropolis was declared an artistic historical monument.
Not all the caves were excavated at the same time and for this reason their shapes or structures are different. From the shape of the caves and the personal objects which were found at the burial places, and which can be seen exhibited at the Museum of Menorca, one can appreciate the talayotic culture of Menorca. The archaeological pieces found in the different caves give us a chronology from the IX century B.C to the Roman era.
The caves which predominate are those with a customary patio at the entrance also chipped from the rock with a rectangular door often decorated which cornices and with a kidney shaped interior. A pillar backed on to the walls which serves as a separation of spaces.
