Ever wonder about the secrets hidden within Formentera’s rocky embrace? Here at Cova Mola, we uncover a story etched in stone, a tale that stretches back millennia. Cova Mola is more than just a cave. It is a time capsule.
Let’s step back thousands of years. Imagine the first inhabitants of Formentera seeking shelter here. The island was a very different place then. The sea level was lower. Many of today’s beaches did not even exist. These early settlers arrived by fragile boats. They faced a challenging environment. Food was scarce. Cova Mola offered refuge.
Archaeological discoveries in Cova Mola reveal a rich history. Pottery fragments and vessels from the Copper Age confirm human presence since that period. This cave shows that a prehistoric community settled on the island. Cova Mola is located in the cliffs of La Mola. The entrance is now hard to reach due to the cliffs and vegetation. The cave contains a main room with several branches. Archaeologists have found remains from the Copper Age to the Middle Ages. There are also signs of a stone wall that protected the entrance. Ritual burials and an ossuary with human remains have been discovered. Ceramic remains and metal parts are among the artifacts found. All point to Cova Mola being a prehistoric home. Even weapons remains have been discovered.
Unfortunately, the Cova Mola suffered from unregulated exploration in the 80s and 90s. Curious visitors entered the cave and collected samples. They disturbed the archaeological layers. Important details were lost forever. However, the most significant finds are now in the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera. Some items were donated by those early explorers. These artifacts offer vital clues about the past.
One notable visitor was the British naturalist Frank Jackson. He photographed the cave. He ensured he did not alter any of the findings. In 2012, a professional excavation took place. It provided a lot of new materials and information. This helped to write the ongoing history of Formentera.
The Cova des Fum also plays a role in Formentera’s story. Known as the Smoke Cave, it is located on the cliffs above Sa Cala. It can be reached from La Mola or Sa Cala. Archaeological finds here also span from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages.
In 1108, King Sigurd I of Norway and his crusaders clashed with the Muslims. The Muslims had sought refuge in the Cova des Fum. Sigurd’s forces attacked. They lit a fire at the entrance. The suffocating smoke forced the Muslims out. The Norsemen showed no mercy. They killed all those who remained. It is said that this event gave the cave its name: Smoke Cave.
Today, Cova Mola and Cova des Fum stand as silent witnesses to Formentera’s long and fascinating past. These caves remind us of the people who lived here. They adapted and survived through the ages. They offer a glimpse into the island’s hidden depths. They connect us to the ancient stories of Formentera. As you stand here at Cova Mola consider the echoes of the past. Imagine the lives and struggles of those who once called this cave home.