The award, presented as part of the European Archaeology Days, was granted by the Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Regional Government of Andalusia. The territorial delegate for Culture and Sport, José Ayala, presented the award this Friday during a ceremony held at the Íbero Museum of Jaén.
Ayala praised Paleomágina's "commitment to excellence in promoting research, education, and knowledge dissemination." He highlighted that these three pillars have established the center, which is under the Ayuntamiento de Bedmar y Garcíez (Municipal Council), as "a cultural and social driver for Bedmar and its region."
Among Paleomágina's most significant projects is the research at the Cueva del Portillo (Portillo Cave), which yielded the oldest human remains found in the province of Jaén, dating back 13,000 years. Currently, the center is focused on the cave at the source of the Cuadros River, where a collective burial from the Chalcolithic period is being investigated.
The European Archaeology Days 2026 in the province of Jaén feature a diverse program aimed at bringing heritage closer to citizens. Activities include visits to the Artistic Historical Complex of Baños de la Encina and its Almohad castle, the excavation at Castillo de la Yedra in Cazorla, as well as conferences and workshops at the Íbero Museum of Jaén.
