The historic Talayotic settlement “Capocorb Vell” in Mallorca, near Cala Pi, is one of the most important megalithic communities of the Bronze Age in the western Mediterranean.
The talayotic houses are believed to have been built around the 14th century BC by immigrants from the eastern Mediterranean who engaged in farming and livestock raising on the island. The term “talayot” refers to a sturdy structure made from huge, naturally occurring stones, dry-stacked. Most talayots were two or three-story structures with either a pyramidal or conical shape. At that time, the native population of Mallorca still lived in caves.
Due to the fact that the large and beautiful stones of the talayots were transported to build new buildings over the centuries, in Capocorb Vell there are only three round houses and two square ones from the Bronze Age, surrounded by small annex structures and ruins of foundations. Archaeologists believe that approximately 500 people lived in this small village. All prehistoric findings are accessible to visitors.
Advice:
In addition to “Capocorb Vell,” prehistory enthusiasts should visit “Ses Païsses” in Artà, another important Talayotic settlement in Mallorca. The neighboring island of Menorca hosts even more prehistoric sites from the Talayotic culture, likely because it didn’t suffer as much from constant power struggles and pillaging.
How to get there:
From Llucmajor, drive about 12 km south towards Cap Blanc. “Capocorb Vell” is located on the right, just before the Cap Blanc/Cala Pi roundabout.
Attractions near Capocorb Vell:
17 km
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