Prehistory

SANT LLUÍS

Sant Lluís in prehistory

The talayotic settlement of Binissafullet Nou, located about two km from the town on the Binissafúller road, is the most spectacular archaeological site in the municipality. It was inhabited from 1500 B.C. to the 2nd century B.C. It features a taula (a T-shaped religious monument), a talayot (a watchtower for surveillance and territory control), various talayotic houses, storage pits excavated into the rock, etc. For many years, the remains were covered by thick vegetation, which hid a true surprise for Menorcan archaeology. In 1988, after deforestation work, the two stones of the taula were discovered intact. Two years later, the only known taula in the municipality was erected in its original position. The ancient inhabitants of the island buried their dead in caves excavated in the cliffs. Biniparratx presents a group of 11 artificial caves, dating between the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. In Binissafúller there is another prehistoric necropolis formed by 15 artificial caves, among which one stands out that features a splendid central column with a centered vertical niche. In Cala Rafalet is the "Trull" cave, converted into an olive press in prehistoric times for the production of oil. The "Biniparratx Petit" settlement has a large talayot and various structures. One of the talayotic houses of the settlement, located at the southern start of the Menorca Airport runway, was excavated and moved in 1996 to the landscaped area of the Airport grounds.

The dwelling was abandoned throughout the second half of the 1st century B.C.