Pisoraca Institute of Studies

The Instituto de Estudios Pisoraca (IEP) is a non-profit entity created in 1987 with the purpose of archaeological, historical, literary, ethnographic and scientific research and dissemination. Its scope of action is centred on the north of Hispania, and its name refers to the ancient city of Pisoraca, whose remains are distributed around the present-day town of Herrera de Pisuerga in the province of Palencia, Castilla y León, Spain. The institute's stated mission, as set out on its official website, includes archaeological work within the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León; historical, literary and ethnographic research in all its aspects; the dissemination, conservation and defence of historical and artistic heritage; and scientific studies of the natural environment. These aims are reflected in its activity areas: archaeology, heritage, natural sciences, historical studies, ethnography and literary studies. IEP has collaborated in the organisation and development of several archaeological excavation campaigns in the municipality of Herrera de Pisuerga, focused above all on the classical and early medieval periods. It has also edited several books on history and art, both general and local — for example, on Herrera de Pisuerga and other nearby villages such as Sotobañado y Priorato — and has collaborated in works edited by third-party organisations, always within the purposes foreseen in its statutes. A recurring feature of the institute's public programme is its annual Jornadas de Arqueología y Patrimonio Natural (Archaeology and Natural Heritage Days), held in July. The official website lists editions from the VIII Jornadas (July 2023) through the XI Jornadas (July 2026), indicating a sustained programme of conferences and outreach. The institute also maintains a publications line and has announced a digital journal (Revista digital) as under development. As a non-profit cultural association rather than a commercial company, IEP operates in the fields of heritage research, education and public dissemination. It is based in and closely identified with Herrera de Pisuerga, the modern settlement associated with the Roman-era site of Pisoraca, and its work is primarily regional in scope, focused on Castilla y León and the northern Iberian Peninsula.

The Instituto de Estudios Pisoraca (IEP) was created in 1987 as a non-profit entity dedicated to research and dissemination in archaeology, history, literature, ethnography and science. Its geographical focus is the north of Hispania, and its name evokes the ancient city of Pisoraca, whose archaeological remains lie around the modern town of Herrera de Pisuerga in the province of Palencia, Castilla y León, Spain. From its foundation, the institute's statutory purposes have included archaeological work within the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León; historical, literary and ethnographic research in all its aspects; the dissemination, conservation and defence of historical and artistic heritage; and scientific studies of the natural environment. These aims have guided a dual programme of field research and public outreach. In the field, IEP has collaborated in the organisation and development of several archaeological excavation campaigns in the municipality of Herrera de Pisuerga, concentrating on the classical and early medieval periods. This work connects the institute to the Roman and late-antique heritage of the Pisoraca area. In publishing, the institute has edited several books on history and art, both general and local. Examples include works on Herrera de Pisuerga and on nearby villages such as Sotobañado y Priorato. It has also collaborated in works edited by third-party organisations, always within the purposes foreseen in its statutes. A digital journal (Revista digital) is listed on its website as under development. A central element of IEP's public activity is its annual Jornadas de Arqueología y Patrimonio Natural (Archaeology and Natural Heritage Days), held in July. The official website records successive editions: the VIII Jornadas in July 2023, the IX in July 2024, the X in July 2025 and the XI scheduled for July 2026. These conferences serve as the institute's main recurring forum for presenting research and engaging the public on archaeology and natural heritage. As a non-profit cultural association, IEP does not operate as a commercial company; its listed status is private and its activity is sustained through its members, publications and outreach events. Its identity remains closely tied to Herrera de Pisuerga and to the heritage of the ancient city of Pisoraca.

• 2026

  XI Jornadas de Arqueología y Patrimonio Natural scheduled for July 2026.

• 2025

  X Jornadas de Arqueología y Patrimonio Natural held in July 2025.

• 2024

  IX Jornadas de Arqueología y Patrimonio Natural held in July 2024.

• 2023

  VIII Jornadas de Arqueología y Patrimonio Natural held in July 2023.

• 1987

  Instituto de Estudios Pisoraca founded as a non-profit entity for archaeological, historical, literary, ethnographic and scientific research and dissemination.

Non-profit cultural research institute focused on archaeological, historical, literary, ethnographic and natural-science research and outreach in Castilla y León and northern Hispania.

• Books on history and art (general and local)

  Edited by IEP, including works on Herrera de Pisuerga and nearby villages such as Sotobañado y Priorato.

• Revista digital (digital journal)

  Listed on the official website as under development.

1. 1Instituto de Estudios Pisoraca – official websiteinstitutoestudiospisoraca.es
2. 2Misión – Instituto de Estudios Pisoracainstitutoestudiospisoraca.es
3. 3Instituto de Estudios Pisoraca – Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Instituto de Estudios Pisoraca – Wikipedia (Spanish)es.wikipedia.org