Menhirs of Menorca, a photo from Menorca, Balearics

Photographer's Note

Another shot from our photographic holiday in Menorca in May in the company of the delightful and excellent teacher Philip Dunn.

This area is part of a Talayot. Talayots were defensive structures built probably around about 1500 years B.C. and were built as living places and also as a means of defence. Whether for religious or other reasons, each Talyot usually also included a structure such as this - a Taula, which is a T-shaped structure consisting of a vertical carved slab of limestone with a rectangular slab of stone balanced on top of it. Perhaps this was a place for worship or simply a meeting area for the people who lived there.

Just to the left of this Taula you can see the head and shoulders of a man walking past, so this gives some idea of the size of it. Quite a massive structure though not quite so big as another Taula in the east of Menorca which is reckoned to weigh around 25 tons.

Shot in RAW and converted and edited in PSE6.

williewhistler, bayno, RhodieIke has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

williewhistler (7299) 2011-12-07 5:59

Hello John,this time the intruder has a positive impact!
He certainly gives a good idea of just how big the structure is,massive.
How,or why these were built no one can be sure,but you have managed to introduce me to yet another site of interest.
The photo is nicely balanced with the rocks each side providing a decent frame.The whole whole image is pleasantly sharp and well composed.
Best regards Les.

bayno (16213) 2011-12-07 9:45

Hi John, very intersting old place and with your note and your shot you well present, nice colors and great depth to appreciate this historic site, well done, good evening, Valter

saxo042 (31802) 2011-12-07 11:42

Hi John,
This is indeed a true TE contribution, an interesting picture and a note from which you can learn something new. A remarkable structure here and a very good picture too.
Kind regards
Gunnar

RhodieIke (9207) 2011-12-08 3:41

Hi John, All these stone photo if I was a shrink, this would mean something in your life,ha ha.Pin-sharp, super colours, light and management.Bootiful (as they say in Norfolk) Thanks for tip last post. cheers Iain.

agjika (4015) 2011-12-08 9:54

Hi John,
Great shot of this extremely large rock. Wonderfull exposure. I did not know Stonehenge had competitors!

Thanks for sharing

Aleks

francio64 (38188) 2011-12-08 14:45

Hi john,
resto sempre affascinato da luoghi dove sono conservate le rovine di un'antica civiltà o di un antico edificio.

Bello qui il contrasto cromatico tra il colore della pietra e il blu del cielo.

TFS!
Francesco

delpeoples (45006) 2011-12-08 21:13

Ciao Giovanni

I see you've gone mad with the ancient erections and posted this wonderful example of mesolithic architecture. Another one for the Theme, goody! Is this Celtic, or from another race? As I said before, I was stunned at the amount of dolmens and standing stones in France Portugal and Spain. Excellent rich colours, great definition, although I'm sure even this excellent photo doesn't do justice to its magnificence. Great shot, thanks for sharing - and donating to the cause :)

Cheers
Lisa

mesutilgim (68014) 2011-12-12 14:25

Hello John,
Nice capture of those 3500 year old humanmade landmarks.
Good layout, perfect light and many good and interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Silvio1953 (98217) 2011-12-14 1:27

Ciao John, great POV on fantastic monument, wonderful light, excellent clarity and splendid colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio