Paleontology in A Coruña

The Spanish Society of Paleontology (SEP) held its annual meetings from October 2 to 5, 2024, in A Coruña (website). I had the pleasure of participating as a member of the Organizing Committee.

This year’s event brought together paleontologists, researchers, and students from various institutions to share their latest findings and insights in the field of paleontology. Besides the general session, there are specific sessions on Molecular Paleontology, Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleo3D, Paleobiogeography and Macroevolution, and Paleontological Heritage, among others. We also had four keynote speakers who delighted us with their most advanced results.

Figure 1. Photo of the inaugural ceremony of the XXXIX SEP 2024 Conference at the UDC Rectorate. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED B. Moncunill-Solé.

The conference took place at the UDC Rectorate, offering a great setting for this gathering of experts and enthusiasts in paleontology. The event was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of several key collaborators, including the Scientific Museums of A Coruña, CICA, IUX, Transmitting Science, and Principia Magazine, among many others. Their support was instrumental in ensuring the success of this year’s congress.

One of the highlights of the conference was a special session titled 'Paleontology in and from Galicia: 2nd PaNOP,' which focused on showcasing paleontological research directly related to the region. I had the distinct pleasure of coordinating this session alongside esteemed colleagues Prof. Bao and Prof. Díez Ferrer. During this session, I presented some of the latest results from the research I am currently conducting. My work focuses on two fascinating topics: the locomotion of P. sardus, and the paleopathologies observed in fossils from Menorca. Sharing these findings with an engaged audience and receiving feedback from peers was an invaluable experience.

The conference concluded with a highly anticipated field trip to the Geopark "Courel Mountains" in Lugo, offering attendees the opportunity to explore some of the region’s most significant geological and paleontological sites. Our first stop was the Geological Museum of Quiroga, where we gained valuable insights into the area’s rich geological heritage. Next, we visited a graptolite fossil site, and followed that with a trip to the Roman mines of Montefurado, a remarkable site that speaks to the ancient mining history of the area. The day ended at the Courel-Peñalba syncline, a geological formation that provided a perfect backdrop for discussing the processes that have shaped the region. We took a well-deserved break in Quiroga, where we were treated to an exceptional local lunch that featured regional specialties, including fresh trout, roasted ham, traditional filloas, and the famous queimada, a Galician ritual drink made from orujo. To top it all off, we were serenaded by bagpipers, which added an authentic and festive touch to the meal. Despite some concerns about rain, the weather held up, and we enjoyed a magnificent day!

Figure 2. Group photo in front of the Courel-Peñalba syncline, SEP2024 field trip. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED B. Moncunill-Solé.

Stay tuned, as in future blog posts, I’ll be sharing the preliminary results presented at this conference!