Córdoba hosts a conference on major archaeological discoveries

The Museo Arqueológico y Etnológico de Córdoba is holding the technical conference «Tesoros en el Museo: fuentes para el conocimiento» on Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 9, a meeting aimed at exploring in depth the historical, technical and social value of major archaeological finds and their dissemination among the public. Access is free and open, with no prior registration required. The sessions will be held in the assembly hall of the Delegación Territorial de Cultura, Patrimonio Histórico y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, on Thursday, October 8 from 17.00 and on Friday, October 9 from 9.00.

Professionals from museums, universities and research centres across Spain are taking part in the conference. The programme offers a multidisciplinary view of several archaeological assemblages, addressing the history of the discoveries and the associated research and conservation processes. Among the planned contents are talks on the treasure of los Almadenes, with accounts from researchers, protagonists and descendants linked to the find.

The protection of heritage against looting will be another focus of the conference, with the participation of the Cuerpo Nacional de Policía, which will present its specialised work and the case of «Operación Leona» as an example of the recovery of cultural property. Underwater archaeology will also have its own space, with the presentation of the Delta I and Delta II wrecks of Cádiz and the case of the frigate Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes.

Another block will be devoted to Visigothic goldwork, with the analysis of the treasures of Torredonjimeno and Guarrazar and the presentation of the results of the Proyecto Au. Representatives of the museums of Sevilla, Cádiz, Huelva and Jaén will present archaeological assemblages and collections such as the Tartessian necropolis of La Joya and the Tesoro de Charilla. The programme is completed with a section on Andalusian numismatics, in which the Museo Arqueológico y Etnológico de Córdoba will present the Haza del Carmen assemblage, which according to the museum is the largest known deposit of caliphal silver coinage, together with the dirhams of Cruz Conde. The regional minister of Culture, Historical Heritage and Sport, Patricia del Pozo, has stated that museums must be «living institutions open to citizens, which promote the conservation and scientific research of the great archaeological finds of Andalucía, as well as fostering knowledge of our history and our culture». Those wishing to attend may do so without prior registration, on Thursday, October 8 from 17.00 and on Friday, October 9 from 9.00, in the assembly hall of the Delegación Territorial de Cultura, Patrimonio Histórico y Deporte, in Córdoba. The full programme can be consulted on the museum's website.