Taula

A Taula ( plural Taulas; translated: "table " or "table" ) is only on the Balearic island of Menorca encountered up to five meters high T-shaped monument of Megalithphase, which consists of at least two stones. On the island of Taulas 30 sites are known, of which 14 are still in relatively good condition.

History of Research

You may already beginning Talayotic one built, large ramp-like building as Binicodrell, Sa Torreta or Binixiquer. They were possibly used as high places of the altar, as it is assumed for Toraixa. These monuments show a similar architecture of the talaiot Zyklopensteinen and are connected with rituals from the Middle East. The apses sanctuaries and Taulas follow another design technique and tradition. They are usually within or in the vicinity of settlements. In the cases where they are off, it is believed that there maybe gathered the inhabitants of neighboring settlements. The excavation in Na Cacana indicates the existence of Amphiktionie, so the common use of the sanctuaries at least for the eastern Menorca.

Description

Taulas mostly consist of a vertical pillar, a monolith or several stacked blocks on which rests above a horizontal, wide überkragender stone. A U-shaped wall often includes the structures within which lie the Taulas. They were built by the local talaiotic culture between 1000 BC and 300 BC. The greatest similarity they have with the standing stones of Gobekli Tepe, but they were built 8000 years earlier and represent anthropomorphic figures.

Taulas have long had the character of altars or tables to which they owe their name. see also: Torre d'en Galmés and Torralba d'en Salord

Locations

Known Taulas

Alfurinet, Bella Ventura, Binicrodell, Binimaimut, Binimassó, Binissafullet, Cavalleria, Cotaina, It Tudons, La Beltrana, Na Comerma Garita de sa, Sa Torreta, Sant Agustí, So n'Angladó, Bernardí Son, Son Catlar, Olivaret Son, Son Rotger, Talatí de Dalt, Torralba d'en Salord, Torralbenc, Torre d'en Galmés, Llafuda Torre, Torre Llissa, Torre Trencada Torre Vella d'en Lozano, Trepucó.

Well-preserved Taulas

Binissafullet, Talatí de Dalt, Torre Trencada Torrellissá Nou Torralba d'en Salord and Trepucó.