Bartolomé Ruiz González facts for kids

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Ruiz and the second or maternal family name is González.

Bartolomé Ruiz González was born in Casabermeja, Málaga, Spain, in 1954. He is an archaeologist who has worked in managing cultural sites and history in Andalucia since the late 1970s. Today, he leads the important Archaeological Ensemble of the Antequera Dolmens and is also the director of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antequera.

Education and Early Research
Career Highlights
Professional Roles and Awards
- Prizes and Recognitions
See also

Education and Early Research

Bartolomé Ruiz studied Philosophy and Arts, focusing on Geography and History, at the University of Málaga. He graduated in 1977. In 1980, he earned a special honor for his thesis on the prehistoric sites of Málaga.

During his early career, he helped with archaeological digs at ancient burial sites in Málaga, Cádiz, and Granada. He also worked at the famous Cave of Nerja. In 1988, he visited the Royal Academy of Spain in Rome to learn about how Italy manages its cultural and environmental treasures. His work has always focused on three main areas: archaeology, protecting historical sites, and managing culture.

He still helps with research at the El Toro cave in El Torcal, Antequera. This research is part of big projects that study early societies in southern Spain and the ancient stone monuments (megaliths) of Antequera.

Career Highlights

Bartolomé Ruiz is a public official who works as a Historical Heritage Curator and Archaeologist for the Regional Government of Andalusia. He has held many important roles in cultural management and protecting historical sites.

Archaeologist for Málaga Province (1979-1983)

He created the Archaeology Department for the Provincial Government of Málaga. He helped make plans for archaeology across the province and created a list of archaeological sites to protect them. This was a new way of thinking about archaeology, especially in cities. It focused on finding and saving historical remains before new buildings were constructed. This new approach won a National Urban Planning Prize in 1980.

Director General of Cultural Heritage for Andalusia (1983-1984)

In this role, Bartolomé Ruiz helped set up the new historical heritage administration for Andalusia. He was involved in creating important laws about libraries, museums, and archives. These laws were very advanced for Spain at the time. He also helped launch FIGURA, a magazine about contemporary art that became well-known nationally and internationally.

Director General of Fine Arts for Andalusia (1984-1986)

During this time, the Alhambra and the Generalife in Granada, a famous historical site, came under the management of the Regional Government of Andalusia. Bartolomé Ruiz was in charge of this transfer.

He also started the Special Plan of Action for the Fine Arts (PAEMBA) in 1985. This plan had a large budget and hired many people to check the condition of cultural properties. It helped create a bigger plan for cultural properties across Andalusia.

Working with the Council of Education, he also helped create "Pedagogical Cabinets of Fine Arts." These were designed to help students learn about historical heritage. The goal was to make sure that these important sites were available for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Director General of Cultural Properties for Andalusia (1986-1988)

In this position, Bartolomé Ruiz helped create new job roles for heritage professionals, museum experts, archivists, and librarians. Andalusia was the first region in Spain to create these specialized roles.

He also helped develop the First General Plan for Cultural Properties (1989-1995). This plan covered four areas: ethnology (the study of cultures), archaeology, movable objects, and real estate. It focused on research, restoration, preservation, protection, and sharing information about these cultural items. This was the first plan of its kind in Spain.

A very important part of this plan was the "Andalusian Model of Archaeology." This model saw archaeology as a way to research history while also managing and preserving historical sites. It encouraged sharing results every year. However, this model faced challenges, especially when a conflict arose in Málaga in 1987. The city council started to demolish ancient walls for an underground car park. Bartolomé Ruiz's department stopped the work and carried out an archaeological dig to save the walls. This led to his dismissal in May 1988.

Director of the Monastery of Santa María de las Cuevas (1989-1994)

Bartolomé Ruiz took charge of this new institution, the Monastery of Santa María de Seville. He led a major restoration project to turn it into the Royal Pavilion for the Seville Expo '92. This project was special because it involved many different experts, like restorers, archaeologists, and art historians. The site later became home to three cultural institutions: the Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art, the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage, and the International University of Andalusia. This restoration project won the "National Award for Monument Restoration" in 1993.

Deputy Minister for Culture for Andalusia (1994-1996)

In this role, Bartolomé Ruiz helped create the second General Plan for Cultural Properties (1996-2000). He also worked on rules for protecting and improving Andalusia's historical heritage and for creating and managing museums.

Director of the Monastery of Santa María de las Cuevas and General Curator of the Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art (1996-2004)

He returned to lead the Monastery of Santa María de Las Cuevas and also became a General Curator at the Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art, which was also located there. He helped develop the Centre's main plan.

Director of the Antequera Dolmens Archaeological Ensemble (2004-2010)

Bartolomé Ruiz helped make the Antequera Dolmens Archaeological Zone an official institution. He oversaw the creation of its first Master Plan (2011-2018) for restoration and improvement. The Antequera Dolmens were declared a Property of Cultural Interest. He also promoted scientific publications and courses about prehistory. He began the process for the ensemble to be included on the European Heritage Programme List.

Secretary General for Cultural Policies for Andalusia (2010-2012)

In this position, Bartolomé Ruiz promoted a system for cultural policy planning in Andalusia. This included creating general plans for cultural properties, institutions, artistic creation, and cultural resources. He also advanced the application process for the Antequera Dolmens Site to be considered for the UNESCO World Heritage List. He also helped publish a new law about documents, archives, and documentary heritage in Andalusia.

Director of the Antequera Dolmens Archaeological Ensemble (2012-present)

Since 2012, Bartolomé Ruiz has continued to oversee the application process for the Antequera Dolmens Site to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.

Professional Roles and Awards

Bartolomé Ruiz has been a member of many important professional groups and institutions, including the board for the Alhambra and the Generalife and the Spanish Historical Heritage Council.

Prizes and Recognitions

National Urban Planning Prize (1980): For his pioneering work in urban archaeology in Málaga.
Málaga Citizen of the Year Award (1983): For his archaeological work in Málaga.
National Award for Monument Restoration and Preservation (1993): For his work on restoring the Monastery of Santa María de Las Cuevas in Seville.
Director of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antequera (since 2013).
Adopted Son from Antequera (2014).
Academic Member of the European Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters (AESAL) (since 2016).
VII León Prize of the Lions Club of Antequera (2016).
X Villa de Casabermeja Award (2017).
Medal of Merit of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Granada (2017).
Estrella Feniké Award for Culture (2019): In the Heritage section.