Prehistoric Formentera

Formentera is known for its heavenly beaches and its Mediterranean beauty, but it is also home to a historical treasure, with evidence of the presence of civilisations as far back as 3000 years before the present era. These vestiges bring us closer to the life and customs of the inhabitants who once inhabited this island. Immerse yourself in a journey through time as you discover and admire the silent witnesses of Formentera's evolution over the centuries.

Megalithic tomb of Ca na Costa

The megalithic tomb of Ca na Costa is the most important archaeological site on Formentera. It was discovered in 1974 and demonstrated the existence of a prehistoric population on the island, disproving the previous belief that the earliest human presence dated back to Punic times. It is also located in an area of great environmental and scenic value, the Ses Salines Natural Park of Ibiza and Formentera, specifically between Pudent Lake and the town of Es Pujols.

This monument dates from the Bronze Age and was probably used between 2000 and 1600 BC, making it the oldest megalith in the Balearic Islands. It was excavated into the rock and has an almost circular layout consisting of a central burial chamber and an entrance corridor, surrounded by several concentric rings.

When it was discovered, it housed the remains of eight individuals: six men (aged 35 to 55) and two women (aged 20 to 35). Alongside the bodies, various materials such as buttons, beads and pottery fragments were found, providing valuable information on the funerary practices and culture of the time.

Roman castellum of Can Blai

These are the remains of an ancient fortress from the Roman Low-Imperial period, located between Sant Ferran and Es Caló. It was built at the beginning of the 4th century. It has a square layout with a tower at each end and another at the entrance. It is very similar to other similar constructions in border towns of the period, both inside and outside Spain. 

However, until 2024, the presence of this castle on Formentera remained a mystery. It was not clear to archaeologists what it was built for, as no evidence of inhabitation had been found, nor any traces of destruction. In the end, archaeologists concluded that it was a castle that was never completed. Why? It was erected by the army of Emperor Maxentius, who was engaged in a civil war against Emperor Constantine between 306 and 312. However, Maxentius was killed in battle and the castle was not completed. So we can say that the Roman castellum of Formentera is an unfinished work dating back almost two millennia. 

Cap de Barbaria settlement

The heart of Cap de Barbaria was home to a small, densely populated "city" four millennia ago. This settlement has survived to the present day in the form of twenty-one sites, three of which have been excavated and can be visited. The population of Formentera was very similar to that of the pre-Talayotic period in Menorca and Mallorca: family groups dedicated to agriculture and livestock farming. The site of Cap de Barbaria II is the largest and has a complex plan structure made up of several adjacent spaces with curved and circular shapes. Cap de Barbaria I and III, on the other hand, have a simpler layout.

Knowledge of the prehistoric roots of Formentera is recent and constantly changing. Who knows what surprises are in store for us in the future!