sea People

Sea People and the Talayots. II.
The building methods, however, were the same. In its oldest and most simple form, it was a round tower-like construction built of large stone blocks enclosing a single room roofed by corbelling or more commonly a roof supported by a central column. It was surrounded by a wall of Cyclopean masonry and it shows similarities with contemporary structures in Sardinia (nuraghes) and Corsica (filitosa and torres).

In all, more than 400 talayots have been found, plus some 100 walled settlements, and dozens of other constructions. They are often built on rises or small hills with commanding views over the surrounding area. There was an inhabited settlement every mile and a half or so, both on the Plains and in the mountains. On average, each settlement had a population of some 200 people. Livestock raising was important to the people of that time so it would strongly suggest that they were a peaceful society, sharing water sources and grazing areas, etc.

There had to have been some form of communal government with a single chief or king although the site of his capital has not yet been found. The largest one to date is Can Daniel Gran in Pollença, which is much bigger than average and had huge walls and towers. Its close proximity to the Roman town of Pollença invites speculation on the relationship between the two. It has not been excavated. Further evidence of a single peaceful community is the Son Real Necropolis between Son Bauló Torrent and Son Real in Alcúdia Bay where there are more than 70 tombs.

Sea People / Talayots I.