These early Neolithic settlers are generally referred to as belonging to the 'Balearic Cave Culture', or the 'Pre- Talayot period', a term meaning a period prior to that of the talayots or 'towers' of Minorca. They probably came from the Spanish (Iberian) mainland, via Majorca, and must have been adventurous sailors in their frail skin or log boats. Possibly their first landfall was accidental as a result of storm or shipwreck. Perhaps they found a sheltered cove, a welcoming cave and fresh water in a wooded barranca, as they took their first steps inland. 

As the centuries passed, and others came, they formed communities and lived in groups in caves, both natural ones and others which they cut out of the soft limestone in the southern part of the island.

 These can best be seen at Cales Coves - near Cala'n Porter which is the largest group of caves in the Balearics. The precipitous cliffs of this Y-shaped cove are honeycombed with 145 man-made caves, tier above tier, the upper ones only accessible by tenuous footholds. Because of the oblique angle of the cove, it is quite hidden from the open sea. This choice of site showed considerable cunning; it enabled them to make a sudden sea raid, and quickly retire. If their lair was discovered, they evacuated their caves and climbed the cliffs by a secret pathway which still exists, retiring behind a cyclopean defence wall, from which they hurled stones down at the intruder.
The majority of these caves were probably originally communal burial chambers, but later became dwellings, and remained in occupation for 1,500 years. Many have a shaped doorway, usually raised, a vestibule, a large central room, and alcoves. Today a few are occupied in summer by weekend fishermen.
A second smaller but important cave group is at Cala Morell in the north-west of the island. Cave no 12 has a sculptured facade, and a central pillar in the interior, with a low dais and four adjoining rooms.
Little is known of the daily lives of these Neolithic men, but as new arrivals became more frequent, new ideas, techniques and knowledge were absorbed. Among these were the use of metals and processing of bronze, and as we shall presently see, the handling of large stones in building. As evidence of the first Minorcans' intelligence and achievements in medicine, Neolithic human skulls have been found in caves near Mercadal, which were surgically trephined during life; and around the neatly punched holes was a callus thickening of bone, giving evidence of a healing process. The patient survived.