The Site – Son Fornés

Talayotic Period

Balearic Period

Classic Period

Son Fornés - SonFornes_Pos-scaled_talayótico

Son Fornés - SonFornes_Pos-scaled_clasico

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Talayotic Period

Balearic Period

Classic Period

The power of the Talayots, a symbol of a society.

A hierarchical society

The unstoppable advance of Rome, a new era of transformation.

The lives of the inhabitants of Son Fornés were formed around large circular structures of Cyclopean ashlars, called Talayots, symbols of cohesion and union of the community. In addition, the resources offered by these lands made Son Fornés an ideal place for agricultural and livestock self-sufficiency.

The expansion of great powerhouses such as Rome and Carthage altered the lives of the inhabitants of Son Fornés, as war and violence defined this era, leading to increased social and economic stratification and thus elevating the role of the male figure. The construction of sanctuaries as principal sacred spaces may be associated with the emergence of some type of priestly caste or hierarchy.

The military occupation of Rome in the Balearic Islands must be framed within the process of expansion of the powerful Roman Empire, which responds to both political and economic reasons. The islands, besides having a significant strategic position, were a passageway to reach Hispania. This caused an alteration of the culture and society of Son Fornés, although its inhabitants continued to maintain many of the traditions of their ancestors.