Nuria Sanz Gallego... An Archaeologist Leading the Global Dialogue Between Heritage, Science, and the Environment
Among the prominent names in the global cultural scene, Dr. Nuria Sanz Gallego shines as a Spanish archaeologist and anthropologist who has successfully transformed her passion for human heritage into a career with a significant international impact, working at major institutions such as UNESCO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Council of Europe.
Nuria holds two doctoral degrees: one in Prehistoric Science from Complutense University of Madrid and the other in Human Ecology from the University of Tübingen in Germany. This dual academic background has allowed her to combine a deep historical perspective with a scientific understanding of the environment and human relations over time. Since 1995, she has pursued a career in international multilateral work, becoming a prominent scientific voice and a strong advocate for the natural and cultural heritage of humanity.
In 2009, she was appointed as the Global Coordinator for Rock Art Heritage at UNESCO, becoming an international reference in this complex field that links human evolution with symbolic expression from the dawn of civilization. Later, she managed the Latin America and the Caribbean unit at the World Heritage Centre, where she led one of the largest projects to add sites to the World Heritage List: the Inca Roads Network - Qhapaq Ñan. This ambitious project brought together six Andean countries, establishing the largest network of anthropological knowledge in the region.
In 2013, she became the Director and Representative of UNESCO in Mexico, overseeing more than thirty projects focused on traditional knowledge, the biocultural heritage of rural communities, handicrafts, linguistic diversity, and scientific programs related to food production and sustainable development. These initiatives were not just projects but also roadmaps for development grounded in respect for living heritage.
Nuria is also known for her pioneering role in launching UNESCO’s global program on Human Capital and Scientific Development for Human Evolution (HEADS), which brought together more than 250 scholars from various disciplines — including paleontology, anthropology, environmental science, linguistics, and biogeography — to form an interdisciplinary knowledge network that is still active today. She edited seven scientific volumes within this context, which have become global academic references.
In addition to her scientific work, she was appointed as the Secretary-General of the UNESCO Arts Group, where she developed an ambitious work plan for the group, overseeing the publication of two art catalogs, including a dedicated book on African art, reflecting her balanced vision between science and the arts.
Currently, at the invitation of the Food and Agriculture Organization, she serves as the Senior Advisor in the Biodiversity and Climate Change Division, where she leads the joint work plan between UNESCO and FAO. Her current work focuses on the evolutionary history of food since prehistoric times, the importance of traditional knowledge in food production and consumption, and how this human heritage can address the challenges of global climate change.
Dr. Nuria Sanz Gallego’s career is not just an academic or professional journey; it is the story of a woman who has dedicated her life to connecting the threads of the past to understand the present and build a more humane, diverse, and sustainable future.
