Spain

Hypogeum of Torre del Ram

Bronze Age hypogeum in Menorca

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

The Hypogeum of Torre del Ram is an archaeological site in Cala en Blanes, Ciutadella de Menorca. It is a Bronze Age funerary hypogeum, which was used as a collective tomb by a family or a small community. Even though it was emptied in later centuries to be reused as a cattle shelter, causing the loss of all information regarding the interred population, grave goods and chronology, its resemblance with other prehistoric tombs of Menorca dates it to between 1700 and 1400 BC. A stepped corridor leads to the tomb's rectangular chamber, which has a stone bench that surrounds its internal perimeter. Part of the stone gallery, which used to cover the corridor and the entrance, is still preserved; this was built using the cyclopean technique. The corridor is 2.60 m long, while the dimensions of the chamber are: 8.80 m long, 2.50 m wide, and 1.95 m high. The walls of the internal chamber present several engravings representing three sailing ships and other undetermined figures. Some authors claim the importance of these elements, since they can date them back to the Bronze Age. However, the date of these engraving has not been determined and could have been made in any other subsequent period.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Attributed construction/use

c. 1700–1400 BC

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Miscellaneous Features

Underground Tunnels
category

Animal Husbandry Features

Livestock Enclosures
category

Burial and Funerary Structures

Tombs
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

Petroglyphs
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Modified Caves
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference

Details

Country

Spain

Coordinates

40.01° N, 3.81° E