The Son Caulelles cave, also known as cova des Moro, is considered the most outstanding prehistoric archaeological site in the entire municipality. It bears witness to one of the first civilizations that inhabited the Balearic Islands during the Bronze Age, the navetiforme culture (1700 – 1000 B.C. approx.), prior to the Talayotic culture. In Marratxí, the oldest remains found correspond to this period. The navetiforme designation comes from the fact that the most characteristic features of this period were the dwellings known as navetas – dwellings in the shape of an inverted nave – which could form small settlements. On the other hand, there were burial caves – natural or artificial – which could also be grouped together in necropolises. No remains from ancient navetas settlements have been found in the municipality, so the pre-Talayotic burial caves are the oldest surviving legacy.
A cave with history
This artificial burial cave was dug directly into the rock. It consists of a single room that is accessed through a small entrance consisting of three steps leading down to a slightly rounded doorway. The total length of the cave, including the entrance, is 10 metres long by 2.5 metres wide and 1.8 metres high. The interior is characterized by a series of elements common to prehistoric tombs from the Balearic Bronze Age period, such as the central pit or pit surrounded all around by lateral benches. On the upper part of these benches, small ridges can be seen which would have served to divide the different compartments. On the right-hand side, near the entrance to the chamber, an opening can be seen in the form of a niche. Generally, one or more niches were usually found at the sides or at the bottom of the cave.
The function of this burial cave was to serve as a tomb for an entire clan or family, which was buried inside, along with a series of objects placed near the bodies. These objects were varied and included jewellery, ceramics, weapons and crockery, among other offerings. The side benches in each compartment are thought to be where the bodies of the deceased were placed. The circular niche on the right was used as an altar to place the different offerings.
The first research was carried out by V. Furió and J. Colomines, who made it known to the scientific community between 1915 and 1920. Unfortunately, no material remains were found because it had been plundered in the past. In 1927, it was excavated by the archaeologist W. Hemp, who unearthed an outer wall and a trench near the entrance staircase. No signs of ancient dwellings have been found in the surrounding area. It was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) in 1966 and, since 2017, it has been the property of Marratxí Town Council.
