Successful closing of the eleventh edition of Jot Down Science with a distinguished panel of experts

The eleventh edition of the Jot Down Science event organized by the renowned Jot Down magazine and the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) with the special collaboration of Kutxa Fundazioa, came to a successful close with a distinguished panel of experts.

The central theme of this year's event was hominids, the family of primates that includes modern humans (Homo sapiens) and their direct ancestors, as well as other extinct closer relatives.

Various researchers, specialists and nationwide popularisers participated in the conference, including Emiliano Bruner (CENIEH, CIEN), Amaia Arranz (UPV/EHU, Ikerbasque), Sergio García Dils (International Cave Exploration Team CAVEX), Juan Manuel García Ruiz (DIPC, Ikerbasque, CSIC), María Martinón-Torres (CENIEH), and Conchi Lillo (University of Salamanca Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla and León, INCYL). These experts shared their knowledge about the evolution of the brain and vision in hominids, the change of paradigm with the emergence of agriculture, the fascination for crystals, or the social tensions between care and violence throughout our history.

On Friday, the programme also featured a round table on art and science with the participation of Mauricio Antón (paleoillustrator), Marina Otero (Columbia University GSAPP), and Clara Montero (Tabakalera) with Ángel L. Fernández as moderator (Jot Down), as well as the prize-giving ceremony in the 2024 Jot Down Science competition.

Additionally, in the special workshop run on the Saturday morning, assisted by specialists from the Aranzadi Zientzia Elkartea (Aranzadi Society of Sciences), children will be able to learn how to compare skeletal remains of animals, such as lions and gorillas, with replicas of hominid remains.

On Saturday, we closed the day with the presentation of two books that approach the topic of hominids from different perspectives. Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias (UPV/EHU, DIPC) spoke about his book "Primates al este del edén" alongside anthropologist María Martinón-Torres. Later, it was Juan José Gómez Cadenas's turn (DIPC, Ikerbasque), who presented his latest book "Nación Neandertal" in an interview with Jot Down magazine's director, Ángel L. Fernández.

For those interested in reliving Saturday's session, they can do so through our YouTube channel.