Conversations on Mediterranean Archaeology
On 21 March, Inturotel Hotels with Soul & Closos Friends launched the Conversations on Mediterranean Archaeology Cycle. With this initiative, we have embarked on a new journey that will help us connect the past (all too often forgotten) and the future of this island where we have been born or which has welcomed us, a journey that will help us imagine and build a better Mallorca and will lead us through the whole of the Mediterranean by means of archaeology, finding sister nations that are also bathed by this ever-present sea.
With this initiative we aim to place Felanitx at the centre of the international archaeological map. The most visible part of the plan is to deliver a high-quality annual event with a guest of great academic prestige and renown. We believe that the more than 25 years of excavation and research that has been carried out in the village of navetas of Closos (Portocolom, Felanitx) is a firm foundation for launching a project of this scale.
From the first moment that Closos set out to us the idea for this cultural-academic event, Inturotel’s management has been very proud to be able to participate and became fully involved. Inturotel hotels is deeply dedicated to the quality of its tourist destination and strongly believes that the cultural offer and academic outreach can be very important catalysts to move consciences in our local community and among our visitors, thus improving our surroundings and indirectly the well-being of all of the species that inhabit planet Earth. The organisation of this event received the support of local institutions such as Felanitx Council and academic support from the University of the Balearic Islands and the members of Closos Friends.
We are very happy to have started this journey with the extraordinary talk given by Doctor Eudald Carbonell i Roura (Ribes de Freser, 1953), THE FUTURE OF HUMANKIND: A decalogue for the survival of our species.
©️Susana Santamaria / Fundación Atapuerca
Our first guest has a doctorate in the Geology of the Quaternary from the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris and a doctorate in Geography and History from the University of Barcelona. He is currently principal investigator in the Autoecology Group at the Rovira i Virgili University (Tarragona) and Professor of Prehistory at the same university. He also is also codirector of the Atapuerca Project and director general of the Atapuerca Foundation and has published dozens of academic articles and books as well as ones aimed at the general public.
In our guest’s talk in Felanitx, he did not so much focus on our species’ evolutionary process in the past, but rather on the true philosophy that his long career as a researcher has enabled him to discuss. Consequently, and with a new direct and entertaining model, he proposed a dialogue between him and Doctor Bartomeu Salvà, one of the organisers and codirectors of Closos. The basic topic was the question of whether humankind has reached a point of no return. Whether the way of life we all lead is pushing the world to its limit. Doctor Eudald believes that we are indeed at this limit, and that there are only two options in this position: reconsidering the concept of “humankind” or extinction. He believes that change and survival are still possible, but that if this is to happen, we must make profound changes to how we think, relate to one another and live.
In view of what is mentioned above, Doctor Carbonell offers and suggests ten steps to ensure we do not disappear as a species. These affect every area of our existence, and they range from stopping globalisation to socialising technology. Other areas he covered were the critical conscience of the species, collective individuality, functional consciousness, increasing diversity, the disappearance of leaders, the feminisation of the species and ecological equilibrium.
Following a comment from the audience, Doctor Carbonell mentioned the importance of sending a positive and hopeful message about this grave situation instead of the sometimes catastrophic messages that are given. These often demoralise people and do not inspire the majority we need to achieve results. This positive message must make the whole of society take part, without discriminating financially or intellectually; we are all essential to make this possible. We can only undo the harmful effects of human activity over recent decades if this message is received on a massive scale.
We would like to thank Doctor Carbonell for accepting our invitation as well as every one of the more than 350 people who attended the I Conversation on Mediterranean Archaeology, and we trust that in the spring of 2024 we can organise another event with the same level and acceptance.
Spring is one of the best times to visit Mallorca, why not make the most of your stay on the island to know better how our ancestors lived? Perhaps they will have lessons for us. We look forward to seeing you!