- Minorca is one of the Spanish Balearic Islands, which became part of the Roman Empire in 123 BCE and later joined the Province of Hispania Tarraconensis.
- The name is from the Latin ‘Insulae Minor’, meaning ‘Minorica, the smaller one’ as opposed to ‘Majorica, the larger one’.
Insula Balearum (Balearic Islands)
Bronze Age Megaliths of Menorca and Majorca
- The Taleoitic Culture built Chamber Tombs known as Navetas on Minorca, that resemble an inverted boat which date to between 3,300-1,200 BCE.
- Later, 274 Megaliths called Talaiots were constructed between c.1,300-500 BCE and are found on both Minorca and Majorca.
- They later constructed Megaliths called Taulas on Minorca that resemble table structures, between 500-300 BCE.
History
- The Balearic Islands remained independent after the Fall of Carthage in 146 BCE, but in 123 BCE, the Roman Commander C. Caecilius Metellus conquered the Islands and founded the cities of Palma and Pollentia.
- They formed part of the Province of Hispania Tarraconensis, forming the fourth division ruled by a Praefectus pro legato.
- Under Diocletian (284-305 CE) and during the fourth century CE, they became a separate Province called Hispania Balearica.
Roman Sites
- Sanisera Roman port city
- The city was located on the natural anchorage for vessels in the harbour of Sanitja on the Cape of Cavalleria in the north of the island.
- The site is a permanent archeological Dig and not open to visitors.
Museums
- Ecomuseum of Cape Cavalleria
- The museum is dedicated to underwater archeology, and holds artefacts from multiple shipwrecks such as amphorae and anchors found on the seabed of Sanitja harbour.
- Museo de Minorca
- The museum is located at Pla des Monestir, 9, Mahon.
- The museum holds artefacts from the Roman period such as Amphorae, pottery and coins.
Menorca, Balearic Islands