Under the title Urban Archaeology: 20 years of neighbours, machinery and builders, this exhibition is a showcase for the most interesting archaeological materials that have been unearthed by preventative excavations over the last two decades. Visitors shall also discover some of the new data gathered through these actions that shed light upon our past.
Preventative interventions are those carried out as a result of public or private construction works that may affect an archaeological site. Through this exhibition, visitors will also discover the workings of this type of intervention, which in the Balearic Islands became regularised with the implementation of the Historical Heritage Act of 1998 and the regulations on archaeological and paleontological interventions in the Balearic Islands, from the year 2000. These regulatory frameworks became invaluable tools for the protection of archaeological heritage, resulting in a considerable increase in the number of archaeological interventions associated with public and private construction projects. This in turn led to the collection of substantial historical data that otherwise would have been permanently lost.
Most often in Menorca, the historical data obtained through these findings is not made readily available to the general population. Given the fact that these interventions occur primarily in urban settings and that, like any project related to construction, they can be bothersome to the community, it is especially important to shed ample light on the results obtained from these tasks.
In this sense, the Island Council of Menorca, the Museum of Menorca and the Municipal Museum of Ciutadella believe it is necessary to convey to the local population the importance of these preventative archaeological measures and how they can provide essential information to better understand our past.
The exhibition is being curated by the archaeologists María José León and Elena Sintes.
The exhibited pieces can be seen from the 15th of January to the 5th of May at the Museum of Menorca in Maó, and from the 16th of August to the 9th of November at the El Roser exhibition hall in Ciutadella.
Also programmed is a series of activities that aim to complement the exhibition and respond to the concerns and the curiosity of anyone involved. These shall include family workshops, conferences, guided tours and more.
Noteworthy are the visits to each of the island’s towns to openly share data from the archaeological interventions that have been carried out to date. Once again, the Museum of Menorca will be stepping out to increase its involvement around the entire island.
A small conference series shall bring to light other experiences in urban archaeology; Son Espases in Palma de Mallorca, El Born in Barcelona and the Roman theatre in Cartagena.
Also worthy of attendance is the roundtable discussion “Through the eyes of a woman archaeologist”, that will be held on International Women’s Day.
Many of these activities will be repeated when the exhibition moves to Ciutadella.