Son Servera hosts an international archaeology and paleoecology meeting with young researchers from around the world
Young researchers from Europe, South America, and the Middle East took part in a specialized training course on archaeobotany and paleoecology in island contexts, organized by ArqueoUIB and IPHES-CERCA
From September 29 to October 3, the town of Son Servera (Mallorca) hosted an international meeting dedicated to archaeobotany and paleoecology, key disciplines for understanding the interactions between past human groups and their natural environment.
The event was co-organized by the research group ArqueoUIB – Material Culture and Archaeological Heritage Management of the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA), with the support of the PALFUEL project, led by Dr. Ethel Allué, professor at the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) and senior researcher at IPHES-CERCA.
The meeting brought together 14 master’s and doctoral students from various countries in Europe, South America, and the Middle East, who participated in a comprehensive program of theoretical and practical training. Sessions were delivered by leading specialists from research centers and universities worldwide, including the University of Oregon, the University of Tübingen, the University of Western Australia, the Rovira i Virgili University, and IPHES-CERCA, among others.
A program combining research, training, and outreach
Theoretical sessions took place at the Escoles Velles de Son Servera, while the practical activities included field trips to archaeological sites in the municipality and a training day at the Puig de sa Morisca Archaeological Park (Santa Ponça). The latter activity allowed participants to explore Balearic prehistory and learn about the outreach and knowledge transfer programs developed by the ArqueoUIB research group.
The event concluded with a public outreach workshop on fire technology and prehistoric metallurgy, open to families, which helped bring archaeological research closer to the general public and highlight the collaboration between scientific institutions and local communities.
Institutional support and scientific collaboration
This initiative received funding from the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), as well as from the research projects CNS2023-145604, PID2023-148651NB-100 (UIB), and PID2023-148678NB-I00 (IPHES-CERCA), and the support of the Catalan Association of Bioarchaeology. It also benefited from the collaboration of the Son Servera City Council and Can Pep Nebot, who provided logistical support and accommodation for the participants.
According to Dr. Ethel Allué (IPHES-CERCA / URV), “these kinds of initiatives are fundamental to training new generations of researchers in archaeobotany and paleoecology — disciplines that offer key insights into sustainability and the use of natural resources throughout history.”
In this regard, the PALFUEL project, within which part of this activity was carried out, aims to understand how prehistoric communities obtained, managed, and transformed plant resources for energy production and other uses.