Biniai Nou hypogea

The Biniai Nou site in Menorca, Spain, features two funerary hypogea constructed during the Chalcolithic period, among the oldest known phases of human presence on the island. These rock-cut chambers, accessed through megalithic façades of vertical stone slabs, provide insight into burial practices of the era. Archaeological investigations revealed grave goods including ceramic vessels and radiolarite fragments, suggesting a culture familiar with tool-making. Radiocarbon dating of human remains from these hypogea confirms the site's significance, offering the earliest evidence of human occupation in Menorca, around 2290-2030 BCE. The site underscores the transition to settled life, with early inhabitants practicing agriculture and animal husbandry, evidenced by the presence of domestic livestock.