Congratulations to
Rosa Alonso Montero
awarded the prize for the Best Paleoart
During the 5th edition of VCWAP, women paleoartists showcased 20 reconstructions on GatherTown©, an interactive platform that fosters real-time discussions. This year, we introduced a brand-new, custom-designed map by Imola Benkö, creating an immersive experience set in an archaeological and paleontological excavation site.
Among this impressive lineup, Rosa Alonso Montero’s illustration stood out, earning the Best Paleoart Award. She was awarded a €100 prize, generously provided by AWAP.
Congratulations, Rosa, on this well-deserved recognition!
About the paleoartistic reconstruction: ‘Sobrarbesiren cardieli, the Pyrenean sirenian’ by Rosa Alonso Montero
Rosa Alonso Montero created a paleoartistic reconstruction of Sobrarbesiren cardieli, the first known European quadrupedal sirenian, that lived around 42 million years ago in what is now the Pyrenees. Based on fossil remains, including a skull, limbs, ribs, and pelvis, this species is the first known quadrupedal sirenian from Eurasia, showing functional hind limbs and suggesting it was not yet fully aquatic. Rosa’s illustration depicts multiple individuals in a Middle Eocene marine environment of the Cantabrian Sea, surrounded by flora and fauna of the time. The artwork, developed with researchers from the University of Zaragoza, is displayed in Spanish museums and was featured in the June 2018 issue of National Geographic.
Meet Rosa Alonso Montero
Rosa Alonso Montero is a paleoartist and scientific illustrator specializing in the Mesozoic era, with a focus on dinosaurs, early birds, and mammals. She collaborates closely with paleontologists to produce scientifically accurate reconstructions that bring ancient life to the public through art.
As a graduate in Graphic Arts and Illustration Design from the Escuela de Arte de Zaragoza, Rosa has contributed to more than fifty artistic and museographic projects across Spain, serving as illustrator, designer, and coordinator.
Her work spans interpretive panels, promotional materials, and graphic content for exhibitions in fields such as paleontology, archaeology, environmental education, cultural heritage, and more. Rosa’s illustrations have been featured in National Geographic and numerous Spanish museums.