A naviforme (initially, navetiforme) was a prehistoric boat-shaped house built on the Balearic Islands of Spain. The hut-like buildings date to the Early Bronze Age or the Pretalayotic Period (ca. 2500–1200 B.C.). The building was generally large and had strong walls. It had dual functions for productive activities and living spaces.[1] Examples of Naviformes are found in various villages but good examples have been excavated at Boquer, Sa Vall, and Son Mercer de Baix.[2]
The word naviforme originated from the building's resemblance to another prehistoric Menorcan structure, the naveta. Given the resemblance in their construction, the naviform was initially called a "navetiforme", a form of a "neveta", though, over time, the word was simplified to naviforme. When some are found together, it is difficult to distinguish between them, despite the naviforme being a home and the naveta being a tomb. Researchers believe that an extended family averaging 20 people could live in a naviforme.
- ^ Waldren, William H.; Ensenyat, Josep A. (2002). [World islands in prehistory: international insular investigations : V Deia International Conference of Prehistory World islands in prehistory: International insular investigations]. Volume 1095 of BAR international series (Digitized Jun 3, 2008 ed.). Archaeopress. ISBN 1-84171-473-9.
{{cite book}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Patton, Mark (1996). Islands in Time: Island Sociogeography and Mediterranean Prehistory. CRC Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-203-43333-5.