History of Majorca

Founding of Majorca
Prehistoric settlements

Little is recorded on the earliest inhabitants of the island. Burial chambers and traces of habitation from the Paleolithic period (6000–4000 BCE) have been discovered, particularly the prehistoric settlements called talaiots, or talayots. They are Bronze Age megaliths forming part of the Talaiotic Culture. A non-exhaustive list is the following:

Capocorb Vell (Llucmajor municipality)

Necròpoli de Son Real (east of Can Picafort, Santa Margalida municipality)

Novetiforme Alemany (Magaluf, Calvià)

Poblat Talaiòtic de S’Illot (S’Illot, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar municipality)

Poblat Talaiòtic de Son Fornés (Montuïri municipality)

Sa Canova de Morell (road to Colònia de Sant Pere, Artà municipality)

Ses Païsses (Artà municipality)

Ses Talaies de Can Jordi (Santanyí municipality)

S’Hospitalet Vell (road to Cales de Mallorca, Manacor municipality)

Roman Empire and Late Antiquity

The island was occupied by the Romans in 123 BCE under Quintus Caecilius Metellus Balearicus. It flourished under Roman rule, during which time the towns of Pollentia (Alcúdia), and Palmaria (Palma) were founded. In addition, the northern town of Bocchoris, dating back to pre-Roman times, was a federated city to Rome. The local economy was largely driven by olive cultivation, viticulture, and salt mining. Majorcan soldiers were valued within the Roman legions for their skill with the sling.

In 427, Gunderic and the Vandals captured the island. Geiseric, son of Gunderic, governed Majorca, using it as his base to loot and plunder the Mediterranean. It was annexed to their kingdom in 465.

Middle Age and Modern History

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