On August 28, the parish church of Banyalbufar hosted the conference “Mammal Ancestors from 270 Million Years Ago in Banyalbufar”, led by paleontologist Rafel Matamales, curator at the MUCBO | Balearic Museum of Natural Sciences.
The event, organised by the Banyalbufar Town Council, brought together around thirty attendees and served to unveil a remarkable scientific discovery: the fossil remains of a saber-toothed carnivore found in the Serra de Tramuntana, which, according to researchers, may represent the oldest known mammal ancestor in the world.
The fossil, dated to 270 million years ago, is the first of its kind discovered in the Mediterranean region and has been studied by an international team led by Matamales. The find was published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications.
The animal, a therapsid from the gorgonopsid group, lived before the first dinosaurs appeared. According to the study, it resembled a medium-sized dog, had bare skin, and reproduced by laying eggs — similar to present-day reptiles and birds. One of its most striking features was its large saber-shaped teeth, typical of some prehistoric carnivores.
During the talk, Matamales explained that the Banyalbufar fossil includes parts of the skull, vertebral column, and a nearly complete hind limb — enough to confirm its exceptional scientific value.
This discovery positions Mallorca as a key location for understanding the evolutionary origins of mammals, and it opens new avenues for research into prehistoric fauna in the Mediterranean basin.
Through initiatives like this, the Banyalbufar Town Council reaffirms its commitment to scientific outreach and to valuing the local natural and paleontological heritage.
