Naveta des Tudons

Naveta des Tudons
Naveta des Tudons, Menorca
Naveta des Tudons at dawn, Menorca

The Naveta des Tudons is the most famous megalithic chamber tomb in Minorca. It was used between 1200 and 750 BC. It is a collective tomb which contained, when it was discovered in 1975 at list 100 men and different objects like bronze bracelets or bone and ceramic buttons.[1]

The most usual shape for navetas is an inverted boat. That gives them their name. They are chronologically prior to talaiotic culture and age. They are still built with big stones - orthostates - that cover their walls and are placed in a vertical position. [2]

Currently it is restored and opened to the public for visits. It is one of the symbols and main tourist attractions of Minorca. It is located in the road Me-1, km. 40, between Ciutadella de Menorca and Ferreries.

Legend

The legend says that two brothers were competing for the love of a girl. To decide who would be the chosen one, they started a construction, and the first one to finish it would marry the girl. One of them decided to build the naveta and the other one a well. The time run and when the last stone was going to be placed on the naveta, the other brother shouted: "Water, water!!". Then, the brother who was building the naveta, very angry, threw the last stone (the one that is missing on the top) into the well, killing his brother. Then, feeling remorse for what he had done, he killed himself. It is said that the girl died alone and was buried in the naveta.

References

Coordinates: 40°0′11.26″N 3°53′29.61″E / 40.0031278°N 3.8915583°E / 40.0031278; 3.8915583