Not all the enigmas of talayotic culture have yet been cleared up. The talayot, a prehistoric defence tower was probably part of some ritual or other or had a magical purpose. Little is known of talayot society, though we have been able to deduce that it was very hierarchical and warlike.

Talayotic culture existed until the 2nd century BC. After defeating Carthage, the Roman Republic started its expansion throughout the western Mediterranean and an expedition under the command of Consul Quintus Caecilius Metellus disembarked in Majorca in the year 123 BC. The Romans respected most of the nuclei of population and ancient talayotic culture, though heavily influenced by Roman and, later, Moorish civilisations, survived in one way or another until the Middle Ages.