taula

Taula is a term with several meanings. In Catalan and related languages, taula means “table” and is used in everyday speech. In English-language archaeology, taula refers to a distinctive megalithic monument found on the island of Menorca, part of the Balearic Islands in Spain.

Taula monuments are associated with the Talaiotic culture and date to the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. They typically consist of a tall vertical stone supporting a large horizontal capstone, producing a T- or table-like silhouette. Taulas are often part of ceremonial complexes that may also include other structures such as talaiots (watchtowers) and navetes (burial buildings). The exact function of taulas remains debated, with interpretations ranging from ritual or ceremonial purposes to symbolic expressions of social or political power.

Today, taulas are important archaeological and cultural landmarks on Menorca. Hundreds have been identified, though many were moved, damaged, or removed in past centuries. Conservation efforts in modern times aim to preserve remaining examples, some of which have been re-erected or stabilized at or near their original sites. In scholarly and popular contexts, the taula is one of the island’s most recognizable prehistoric monuments, illustrating the distinctive megalithic landscape of Menorca and providing insight into Talaiotic era religious and social practices.