Research

Structure and deformation of passive margins involving salt layers

PID2020-117598GB-I00 (2021-2026)

Structural geology, Salt tectonics

Lead researcher: Dr Josep Antoni Muñoz de la Fuente – Geomodels, University of Barcelona (UB).

GEODIGIT – Digital transition in geology: new challenges based on field and laboratory data

TED2021-130602B-I00 (2022-2026)

Geology, Geological heritage, 3D digitisation, Photogrammetry, Modelling

Project focused on the development and application of new digital methodologies for the characterisation and representation of geological heritage using data obtained in the field and laboratory. As part of the project, a three-dimensional model of a Geological Site of Interest in Coll de Nargó was developed.

University of Barcelona – Geomodels Research Institute.

The Catalan Cretaceous. A model of the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems

ARQ001SOLC-228-2025 (2026-2029)

Palaeontology, Palaeoecology, Palaeobiology, Terrestrial ecosystems

Four-year research project focused on the study of the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems in the Catalan Cretaceous. The research contributes to characterising the biodiversity, environments and ecological interactions of continental ecosystems in the Late Cretaceous.

Evolution and paleobiology of herbivorous dinosaurs in Late Cretaceous ecosystems (HERDINO)

PID2024-161658NB-I00

Palaeontology, Palaeobiology, Evolution, Dinosaurs, Palaeoecology

Research project devoted to the study of the evolution and palaeobiology of herbivorous dinosaurs in Late Cretaceous ecosystems. The research provides deeper insight into the diversity, evolution and ecology of herbivorous dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous.

2024 Knowledge Generation Project – Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

Monitoring the newt population in Rivert

(2026-2029)

Ecology, Biodiversity, Conservation, Population monitoring

Long-term monitoring project of the newt population in Rivert, aimed at assessing its evolution over an extended period and generating a time series that makes it possible to detect changes in population size and dynamics.

Lead researcher: Albert Cereza – Geoparc Orígens.

Valleys and mountains: places of refuge and opportunity in medieval Pallars (5th–15th centuries)

(2026-2029)

Medieval history, Archaeology, Settlement, Territory

Research project on the evolution of settlement and the ways in which the territory of Pallars was occupied, used as a refuge and exploited between the 5th and 15th centuries. The research analyses the relationships between mountain areas, human communities and forms of territorial organisation during the Middle Ages.

PI1: Dr Marta Sancho i Planas. PI2: Xavier Costa Badia.

Establishment, heyday and transformation of the Roman presence in the Pre-Pyrenees: the city of Aeso

ARQ001SOLC-243-2025 (2026-2029)

Archaeology, Ancient history, Archaeological heritage

Four-year research project focused on the establishment, evolution and transformation of the Roman presence in the Pre-Pyrenees through analysis of the city of Aeso and its territory. It includes archaeological research on the Roman city of Isona and the ager of Aeso, as well as the study of relationships between the urban centre and the surrounding territory.

Lead researcher: Dr Ignasi Garcés Estallo – University of Barcelona (UB).

TIR-FOR: Tabula Imperii Romani – Forma Orbis Romani

(2026)

Archaeology, Ancient history, Archaeological heritage, Digital cartography

Archaeological research and documentation project focused on the study and cartographic representation of Roman heritage. It includes the Roman city of Aeso, in Isona i Conca Dellà, incorporated into the project’s database and cartographic system.

With the participation of: Dr Núria Romaní Sala, Dr Pau de Soto Cañamares, Dr Josep Guitart Duran and other researchers.

Traces of a new world: The first Neolithic communities of Cova del Tabac

(2025-2027)

Prehistory, Archaeology, Palaeoecology

Research project focused on the study of the first Neolithic communities of Cova del Tabac, in Camarasa. The research combines the archaeological study of the site with different analyses to characterise ways of life, activities carried out and relationships between human communities and their environment during the earliest stages of the Neolithic.

Lead researcher: Dr Rafael Mora Torcal – Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

Human settlement in the eastern Pre-Pyrenees during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene

CLT_2022_EXP_ARQ001SOLC_00000105 (2022-2026)

Prehistory

Lead researchers: Drs Rafael Mora Torcal and Jorge Martínez-Moreno – Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

Carnivores and human settlements: a new approach to the Middle Palaeolithic record (SCAVENGERS)

101097511 (2024-2028)

Quaternary, Human evolution, Palaeoecology, Taphonomy, Archaeology

European research project studying interactions between carnivores and human groups during the Middle Palaeolithic and the processes involved in the formation and transformation of archaeological sites. The project includes the study of Cova dels Tritons, in Senterada, where faunal accumulations and taphonomic processes related to carnivore and human activity are analysed.

Lead researcher: Dr Jordi Rosell Ardèvol – Catalan Institute of Human Palaeoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA).

Project funded by the European Research Council (ERC Advanced Grant).

The Sant Antoni dam workers’ camp: archaeology of everyday life and hydroelectric development

(2025-2026)

Archaeology, Contemporary history, Industrial archaeology, Cultural heritage

Archaeological research project focused on the former workers’ camp at the Sant Antoni dam, in Talarn. The research analyses the material remains preserved at the camp to reconstruct living conditions, consumption habits and the organisation of this space associated with the construction of the dam.

With the participation of the University of Barcelona.

PATRIM 4.0 – Cultural heritage and innovation in the Pyrenees

POCTEFA 2021-2027 – EFA127/01

Cultural heritage, Archaeology, Innovation, Digitisation

Cross-border project focused on innovation in the management, interpretation and enhancement of Pyrenean cultural heritage. Within the Geopark territory it includes the participation of Centre Espai Orígens in Camarasa and works on incorporating new tools and methodologies for heritage research and management.

With the participation of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Centre Espai Orígens.

Astronomical research at the Montsec Observatory

(Current research)

Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space sciences, Observation

The Montsec Observatory, located in the municipality of Sant Esteve de la Sarga, is a scientific facility dedicated to astronomical research and space science and technology. Its facilities enable astronomical observations, monitoring and technological development projects.

With the participation of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and other institutions and research groups.

Wide-Field Rapid Telescope (TRAC)

(2026-)

Astronomy, Astrophysics, Near-Earth objects, Space debris

New robotic telescope at the Montsec Observatory intended, among other applications, for monitoring near-Earth and potentially hazardous asteroids, asteroids in the inner Solar System, stellar occultations, low-surface-brightness objects, satellites and space debris.

With the participation of the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), the Institute for High Energy Physics (IFAE) and i2CAT.

A natural open-air museum in the Pyrenees: a virtual reality experience for the dissemination and conservation of geological and cultural heritage (VIGEOCULT)

PLEC2021-00793 (2021-2024)

Structural geology, Sedimentology, Palaeontology, History, Cultural heritage, Virtual reality

Project led by the Geomodels research group at the University of Barcelona in collaboration with the Catalan Institute of Palaeontology Miquel Crusafont, Geoparc Orígens and the company Digivisión, with the aim of creating an open-air museum using virtual and augmented reality methodologies based on 4D geological reconstructions.

Lead researcher: Dr Josep Antoni Muñoz de la Fuente – University of Barcelona (UB). In collaboration with: ICP, Geoparc Orígens and Digivisión.

Iberia in the Cretaceous and Palaeogene: palaeo-island and biogeographic bridge. Case studies in larger foraminifera and charophytes

PID2020-113912GB-I00 (2021-2025)

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Biogeography

Lead researcher: Dr Carles Martín Closas – University of Barcelona (UB).

New approaches to characterising seismic sources and integrating them into fault-based seismic hazard models. Case studies in eastern Iberia

PID2020-119772RB-I00 (2021-2025)

Palaeoseismology, Active tectonics, Geodesy, Geomorphology

Lead researcher: Dr Raimon Pallàs Serra – RISKNAT-University of Barcelona (UB).

Impact of Palaeogene Climate Transitions on Iberian Sedimentary Systems

PID2019-106440GB-C21 (2020-2024)

Sedimentology, Isotopes, Magnetostratigraphy

Lead researchers: Drs Miguel Garcés Crespo and Miguel López-Blanco – University of Barcelona (UB).

Agricultural production, diet and health between Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula

ARQ001SOL-119-2022 (2022-2025)

Archaeology

Interdisciplinary research project on continuities and ruptures in the historical transition processes between Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula. This approach combines data from the archaeological study of sites, landscape, buried individuals and Latin documentation to address questions related to agricultural production, diet and health.

Lead researcher: Dr Jesús Brufal Sucarrat – Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

The end of an Era and the emergence of modern ecosystems

ARQ001SOL-167-2022 (2022-2025)

Palaeontology

Lead researcher: Dr Josep Fortuny – Catalan Institute of Palaeontology Miquel Crusafont (ICP).

The continental Cretaceous of the southern Catalan Pyrenees: ecosystems and faunal evolution

(2022-2025)

Palaeontology

Lead researcher: Dr Àngel Galobart – Catalan Institute of Palaeontology Miquel Crusafont (ICP).

The Catalan Palaeogene and the origin of primates

CLT_2022_EXP_ARQ001SOLC_00000197 (2022-2025)

Palaeontology

This study aims to recover remains of continental vertebrates, invertebrates and charophytes from Catalan basins through intensive sampling of known Palaeogene localities and the identification of new fossil-bearing levels, in order to increase knowledge of the taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships and palaeobiology of different groups, with particular emphasis on primates.

Lead researcher: Dr Judit Marigó – Catalan Institute of Palaeontology Miquel Crusafont (ICP).

«In territorio Orritense». Evolution of Pre-Pyrenean settlement from Late Antiquity to the medieval world

ARQ001SOL-129-2022 (2022-2025)

Archaeology

The project proposed analysing changes in settlement, forms of habitation, resource exploitation and territorial organisation between Late Antiquity and the medieval period in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees through excavations, visual and geophysical surveys, documentary review and conservation, enhancement and dissemination programmes.

Lead researcher: Dr Xavier Costa Badia – Isona i Conca Dellà Town Council. In collaboration with: University of Barcelona (LAMUB and SGR GEAH), Tremp Town Council, Talarn Town Council and Fundació Catalunya – La Pedrera.

De Ipsos Kastellos: Habitat and mountain fortresses in Medieval Catalonia (9th–13th centuries)

ARQ001SOL-161-2022 (2022-2025)

Archaeology

The project aimed to investigate the genesis and evolution of early medieval habitats linked to the presence of castles and other fortification elements in the mid-mountain areas of western Catalonia.

Lead researcher: Dr Marta Sancho Planas – University of Barcelona (LAMUB). In collaboration with: Geoparc Orígens, Pallars Jussà County Council, Gavet de la Conca Town Council, La Pobla de Segur Town Council, Castell de Mur Town Council, Centre d’Estudis Lacetans and University of Barcelona (SGR GEAH).

Population and lifestyles during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene in the eastern Pre-Pyrenees

PID2019-104843GB-I00 (2020-2023)

Prehistory

Lead researcher: Dr Rafael Mora Torcal – Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

Settlement and ways of life during the Final Pleistocene and Holocene in the Eastern Pre-Pyrenees. Analyses of the Neolithic record from Cova Gran, Cova del Tabac and Font del Ros

Palarq Foundation. 2022–2023 call for analyses

Prehistory

Lead researchers: Drs Rafael Mora Torcal, Jorge Martínez-Moreno and Paloma González Marcén – Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

Young Archaeology Campus – INVESTIGA.EDU

FCT-21-17031 (2022-2023)

Prehistory, Archaeology, Natural environment, Palaeontology

Educational innovation programme aimed at bringing scientific research closer to schools.

Lead researcher: Dr Paloma González Marcén – Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

Competition, co-evolution and commensalism: the use of karst environments by humans and carnivores during the Middle Palaeolithic

ARQ001SOL-183-2022 (2022-2025)

Quaternary, Human evolution, Palaeontology, Archaeology

Based on the study of Neanderthal occupations in the caves of Pallars, the project aimed to contribute to the reconstruction of the Palaeolithic landscape in this geographical area, from geological and geomorphological as well as palaeoecological perspectives.

Lead researcher: Dr Jordi Rosell Ardèvol – IPHES-CERCA.

Pirineus La Nuit: Pyrenean Strategy for the protection and improvement of the quality of the night-time environment

EFA 233/16 PLN. POCTEFA (2014-2023)

Astronomy, Light pollution

Pirineus La Nuit aimed to improve the quality of cross-border ecosystems by protecting and enhancing natural night-time darkness. The main result was the development of a strategy for protecting and improving the quality of the night-time environment, also intended to serve as a reference and roadmap for other areas.

Project lead: NICDO – Pamplona Planetarium. Other project partners: Consell Comarcal de la Noguera, Gestión Ambiental de Navarra S.A., Pic du Midi, À Ciel Ouvert and CPIE 65.