The Villa Son Sard archaeological project, directed by Antoni Puig Palerm, Letty ten Harkel and Ritchie Kolvers, is a collaborative prospection in the valley of Son Servera, Mallorca, aimed at studying the archaeological landscape through a diachronic approach. Sparked by a 2012 Roman bathhouse discovery during road construction, the project employs trial trenches, magnetometry, extensive survey and surface surveys. These trenches have uncovered artifacts such as Roman ceramics and an Islamic burial site, shedding light on rural settlement in ancient and medieval times. Integrating geophysical data with surface finds, the team maps the site's boundaries, delineates structural features and deciphers functions, reconstructing the development of the archaeological landscape, while comparing Son Sard to other sites in the region that are visited during extensive survey.

Community Engagement and Heritage Connection

The Villa Son Sard project is more than an archaeological project—it’s a bridge to local heritage. It connects communities with their past, sparking dialogue about Mallorca’s rich history. By engaging locals through public outreach events, among which digital reconstructions and reenactment, and through accessible research, the project transforms academic findings into shared cultural narratives. Its discoveries foster community identity and empower residents to appreciate and preserve their historical legacy.

Filling a Knowledge Gap in Rural Archaeology

The Son Sard project is groundbreaking because few studies have focused on rural settlements on Mallorca from ancient periods. It fills a major knowledge gap by exploring everyday life outside urban. Innovative methods like magnetometry and systematic surveys help reveal details that have long been overlooked. This research not only enriches our understanding of Mallorcan history but also sets a new benchmark for rural archaeology.

Methodology and Techniques

Villa Son Sard employs a blend of Dutch commercial archaeology techniques, local practices and the Leiden academic tradition. Intensive field surveys and trial trenches form the backbone of the excavation strategy. Geophysical surveys, drones, and advanced mapping tools—such as the Total Station and GNSS—are utilized to ensure every discovery is recorded with precision. The project collaborates with specialists from all fields and from across the world, to ensure that all the most up to date and innovative methods are utilized in the analysis of our data.

This innovative mix of methods reveals the site’s hidden narrative, setting a new standard in local rural archaeology.

From 2025 onwards, the project is further contributing to the formulation of a predictive model, in collaboration with the University of Cyprus, for sites dating roughly between the 9^th and 13^th centuries, aiding future archaeological preservation and conservation on the island.

Key Discoveries and Insights

Excavations have uncovered Roman ceramics, diverse artifacts, and even an unexpected Islamic cemetery. These findings shed light on the complex, multi-layered history of the site and hint at evolving functions over time. By precisely mapping the site's boundaries, the project offers valuable insights into ancient construction, usage, and cultural exchange. Geophysical research has provided plenty of opportunities to guide future research, helping us to locate possible Roman and post-Roman structures, placing the 2012 discovery of the bathhouse in a wider archaeological context.

Extensive surveys in the uplands of the Son Servera valley have revealed many traces from prehistory to the Medieval period, providing ample context and material for comparison to the lowland finds in the valley. The results pave the way for further discoveries in Mallorca’s archaeological landscape.

• landscape
• medieval
• roman
• rural

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