Taula

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Taula by Trepucó with modern support

A taula (plur. Taulas; Eng. "Table" or "table") is a T-shaped monument of the megalithic phase that can only be found on the Balearic island of Menorca . A taula consists of at least two stones and is up to five meters high. There are 30 known locations of Taulas on the island, 14 of which are still in relatively good condition.

Research history

Large ramp-like buildings such as Binicodrell , Sa Torreta or Binixiquer were possibly built at the beginning of the Talayot ​​culture . They may have been used as high altars, as is believed for Toraixa. These monuments show a Talayot-like architecture made of Cyclops stones and are associated with rituals from the Middle East.

The apse sanctuaries and the taulas follow a different technique and tradition. They are mostly located within or near settlements. In those cases where they are remote, it is believed that residents of neighboring settlements may have gathered there. The excavation in So na Caçana indicates the existence of amphictyony , i.e. the communal use of the sanctuaries, at least for eastern Menorca.

Structure sketch T-shape

description

Taulas usually consist of a vertical pillar, a monolith or several blocks stacked on top of each other, on which a horizontal, protruding stone rests on top. A U-shaped wall often encloses the structures within which the taulas lie. They were made by the local Talayot ​​culture between 550 BC. BC and 300 BC Built in BC. They are most similar to the menhirs of Göbekli Tepe , which were erected 8,000 years earlier and represent anthropomorphic figures.

For a long time, Taulas 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

Situation overview

Well-preserved Taulas

Binissafullet , Talatí de Dalt , Torralba d'en Salord , Torrellisar Vell , Torretrencada , Sa Torreta de Tramuntana , Trepucó .

More well-known Taulas

Alfurinet, Algaiarens, Bellaventura, La Beltrana, Biniac Vell, Binicodrell Nou, Binimaimut, Binimassó , So na Caçana, Cavalleria, Cotaina, Na Comerma de Sa Garita , Sa Cudia Cremada , Sant Agustí Vell , Son Angladó, Son Bernardí, Son Catlar , Son Olivaret, Son Rotger, Torralbenc, Torre d'en Galmés , Torrellafuda , Torre Vella d'en Lozano, Tudons.

literature

  • Gustau Juan Benejam, Joaquín Pons Manchado: Talatí de Dalt 1997-2001 . Treballs del Museu de Menorca, 29 (2005). 267 pages. ISBN 84-96430-48-0
  • PY Hochsiedler, D. Knösel: Les Taules de Menorca, un estudi arqueoastronòmic. 1995
  • Jürgen E. Walkowitz: The megalithic syndrome. European cult sites of the Stone Age (= contributions to the prehistory and early history of Central Europe. Vol. 36). Beier & Beran, Langenweißbach 2003, ISBN 3-930036-70-3 .
  • L. Plantalamor Massanet: Algunas Consideraciones sobre los sepulcros Megalíticos de Menorca, en Trabajos del Museo de Menorca - separata de Sautuola II , Mahón, 1981

Web links

Commons : Taula  - collection of images, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: taula  - explanations of meanings, word origins , synonyms, translations