Capocorb Vell

Capocorb Vell is a talaiotic settlement on the island of Mallorca. It is situated about twelve kilometers south of Llucmajor in the direction of Cap Blanc and is located on the right just before the roundabout Cap Blanc / Cala Pi in an almond grove.

Description

Capocorb Vell is one of the best excavated talayotic settlements in the Balearic Islands and one of the largest and most important megalithic systems of the western Mediterranean. The exposed and accessible terrain today comprises around 7,000 m². The other half of the entire prehistoric city is still below the adjacent farmland. The settlement was also one of the first in which excavations were carried out.

The settlement is located in a plane about 100 meters above sea level. Capocorb Vell consists of three rounds and four square Talayots ( weirs ), which are surrounded by several buildings. In the vicinity there are numerous smaller Talayots and other buildings. The settlement was explored by archaeologists Ch Watelin (France ) and Albert Mayr ( Germany ). The first scientific excavations were carried out between 1910 and 1920 under the direction of José Roca Colominas and were under the auspices of Luis Pericot, a specialist in Spanish history.

Scientists suspect that this is a defensive settlement for around 500 residents from the early days of Talayotic ( 12th century BC ).

As essential elements of a labyrinth- like building, a cluster of 28 rooms, three round towers and two square towers were excavated. In one of the square towers can be seen the 2nd floor which is connected by a spiral staircase. Its entrance door is aligned to 145 degrees as with all square Talayots Mallorca to the southeast. Leave the findings suggest that this settlement was inhabited continuously from the talayotic earliest times to the early Middle Ages. The finds can be seen in the archaeological museum in Barcelona. The remains of the round megalithic towers are accessible, as are the square extending ground.

To date, the Talayotic are archaeologists and historians to puzzle. The " talaiot " is a prehistoric defensive tower, which is to bring both magic and ritual as well as with military order in connection. Likewise, the question of the orientation of the entrance doors to 145 degrees to the southeast is unclear.

According to Government Decree of 3 June 1931, the settlement is a listed building.

There is also a cave grave on the cliffs near Capocorb.