Naveta facts for kids
A naveta is a special type of ancient tomb found only on the island of Menorca in the Balearic Islands. These tombs were built a very long time ago, during the early Bronze Age. Imagine a time when people were just starting to use metal tools!
Navetas look a lot like an upside-down boat. That's actually how they got their name, as "naveta" means "small ship" in some languages. They have two straight walls and two walls that curve inwards, making them look like a boat turned over.
The biggest naveta you can find is called the Naveta d'Es Tudons. It's about 4 meters (13 feet) tall, 14 meters (46 feet) long, and 6.4 meters (21 feet) wide. That's pretty big for an ancient tomb!
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Navetas are ancient structures made from large stones. These types of buildings are called megalithic monuments. They were used as chamber tombs, which means they were places where many people from a community were buried together.
The unique shape of a naveta, like an upside-down boat, is made from two straight walls and two walls that lean inwards. This special way of building is called "corbelling." It allows the builders to create a roof without using arches or beams.
Navetas were built during the early Bronze Age. This period in history started around 3300 BC and ended around 1200 BC. During the Bronze Age, people learned how to make tools and weapons from bronze, a mix of copper and tin. This was a big step forward for ancient societies.
The people who lived on Menorca during this time used navetas as their final resting places. These tombs tell us a lot about their beliefs and how they lived.
The most well-known naveta is the Naveta d'Es Tudons. It is the largest and best-preserved example of these unique tombs. It stands out because of its impressive size and how well it has lasted through thousands of years.
Archaeologists have studied Naveta d'Es Tudons to learn more about the people who built it. They found bones and other items inside, which help us understand ancient burial customs.
The first person to write about these amazing structures was Juan Ramis. He was an important writer and historian. In 1818, he published a book called Celtic antiquities on the island of Menorca.
This book was very special because it was the first book written in the Spanish language that was completely about prehistory. Prehistory is the time before written records existed. Juan Ramis's work helped people learn about the ancient history of Menorca and its unique monuments like the navetas.
See also
In Spanish: Naveta para niños
