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* * ** 6 DRYSTONE MASONRY STRUCTURES
DRYSTONE MASONRY
STRUCTURES
Agricultural activity in Majorca has
traditionally been connected with the
presence of drystone masonry structures
which have left their mark on the
island's landscape in aspects as
diverse as the property structure, arable
and livestock tasks and the use
made of woods.
Drystone masonry structures are
very varied by type and meet different
needs. Boundary walls, living quarters
for human beings and for animals, terraced
fields, water resource structures,
roads and structures used for
pre-industrial extractive activities as
well as the use of woods (charcoal
production, building materials, hunting,
etc.) all stand out. Drystone
masonry work is also to be seen in the
paving of courtyards and drives at
country houses and the base platforms
of flour windmills.
Landscapes marked by the presence
of drystone masonry can be found
throughout Majorca although it is
most widespread in two areas. The
defining features on the flat landscapes
of the south and east of the island
are boundary walls, huts and water
management facilities. In the "Serra
de Tramuntana" the most characteristic
features are terraced fields with a
significant paved road network and
excess water control constructions.
The large-scale development and
variety of constructions can only be
attributed to a conjunction of physical
and historical circumstances. The
most important physical factor is the
predominance of limestone rock
which is both plentiful and of a high
quality. This has enabled the building
of complex structures, whilst other
less abundant rocks have enriched
the variety of types.
The wild relief combined with the
chances of heavy rain made it necessary
to build structures geared
towards preventing erosion and flooding
and towards making it possible
to farm the slopes (terraced fields)
(marjades). Moreover the summer
drought also created a need to build
water collection, supply and storage
facilities.
As for historical factors, the existence
of drystone masonry constructions
can be found in the documents
dating from the 13th and 14th centuries
mentioned above, although the
major developments took place in
later centuries. In general terms, the
expansion of agricultural land and of
drystone masonry continued up until
the start of the 20th century including
a number of periods when growth
was faster. This tilling of new land over
the centuries led to the creation of
boundary walls, terraced fields, temporary
living quarters, etc.
The progressive abandonment of
farming land giving a marginal yield
and of many other economic activities
involving drystone masonry construction
(lime and charcoal manufacture,
etc.) began in the first decades of the
20th century. The process speeded
up when mass tourism reached the
island in the 1960's. This tourism
affected all parts of the island and the
traditional rural crafts which are at
present undergoing a growing urbanisation
process as a result of the
expansion of residential tourism. •