Paleontological heritage

Palaeontology is the science that studies life on Earth in the past, i.e. the remains of fossil organisms and traces of their activity. The palaeontological heritage of Andorra is made up of all these remains - as well as their geological context - found in Andorran territory.

The aim of this project is to identify, describe and evaluate the Andorran paleontological heritage, as well as provide the necessary tools to the administration for its protection and conservation.

Although paleontology is a natural science, paleontological heritage is traditionally treated as part of cultural heritage. It is for this reason that since 2018 we have been working in collaboration with the Patrimoni Cultural del Ministeri de Cultura department.

In 2021, the 2006 paleontological heritage inventory was updated, as well as the assessment of the interest, risk and need for protection of the various inventoried sites [1]. 

We also collaborate with the Department of Cultural Heritage to provide occasional advice on the assessment of paleontological heritage that is exposed to public or private activities [2].

Looking to the future, further research is planned to determine inventoried species, to prospect new fossiliferous sites and to disseminate the project´s results.

[1] G. Silvério, A. Margalef, "Actualización del inventario de Patrimonio paleontológico de Andorra", X Congresso Geológico de España, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 2021.

[2] A. Margalef, A. Echeverría, "Geological heritage and conservation challenges in Andorra", ProGEO SW Europe Meeting, 2025