Archaeological Site Son Fornés

Nestled in the heart of Mallorca, in the township of Montuïri, an archaeological site measuring a little over three hectares contains 1,500 years of the island’s history. Explorations of this site have enabled us to recover archaeological remains like dry wall buildings, ceramic receptacles modelled both by hand and on a pottery wheel, artefacts made of metal and bone, remains of fauna and human beings, seeds and fragments of charred wood.

Son Fornés site was excavated in different campaigns (1975-2011) that have revealed three historical periods: talayotic, post-talayotic and classical/Roman. The talayotic period (10th century b.C. – mid-6th century a.D.) is represented by two cyclopean buildings for use by the community: talayots 1 and 2.

At 17 metres in diameter and with a 5 metrelong corridor, talayot 1 is one of the largest in Majorca. Its chamber, which probably used to have two levels, still has the central column, and has many animal remains that seem to indicate that it was used to slaughter animals, cut them up and distribute them. 

Cups that probably had a religious purpose were unearthed in talayot 2, which is accessed through a staircase from the roof. A number of houses from the posttalayotic and classical/Roman era were found around both talayots, providing an insight into the way of life of these prehistoric communities.