The ARCHBOTANKA project advances the study of human–plant relationships through research and educational activities in Sri Lanka

The international project ARCHBOTANKA, dedicated to studying the relationships between humans and plants throughout prehistory, continues to advance through research stays, fieldwork and educational activities carried out במסגרת the European MSCA Staff Exchanges programme.

The project brings together academic and non-academic institutions from Europe and Sri Lanka with the aim of combining scientific research, education and heritage. One of the main research axes is to understand fuel management and energy practices in the past, particularly in tropical contexts.

Research stays between Europe and Sri Lanka

Between November 2025 and January 2026, Professors Prabath and Chandraratne, from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), carried out research stays at the University of the Balearic Islands and at IPHES-CERCA, where they deepened their knowledge of heritage education and prehistory. During these visits, the logistical and scientific aspects of the activities later developed in Sri Lanka were also prepared.

During February and March 2026, several members of the international consortium travelled to the University of Peradeniya to continue developing the scientific and educational objectives of the project.

An educational game to explain prehistory and plants

One of the most notable initiatives has been the creation of the educational game ARCHBOTANKA Keliya, jointly designed by members of various institutions within

the consortium: MUCBO–Sóller Botanical Garden Foundation–Balearic Museum of Natural Sciences (Daniel Gallego, Aina Martí, Paula Munar and Rafel Matamales), the cooperative Els Corremarges (Natacha Filippi), the University of Peradeniya (Theekshana Athukorala, Piyumi Embuldeniya, Jennifer Edama) and IPHES-CERCA (Andrea Alías).

The game aims to introduce students to knowledge about prehistory and the relationship between humans and plants, a key element for understanding the evolution of human societies.

This educational resource has been presented in several public and private schools in the city of Kandy, as well as in a rural school in Dambana, with the participation of staff from MUCBO and IPHES-CERCA, students, and members of the University of Peradeniya.

Ethnographic study on fuel use

In Dambana, activities have also been carried out related to one of the project’s scientific objectives: the ethnographic study of energy practices among women from the indigenous Vedda community.

This community continues to use firewood as its main domestic fuel and preserves traditional ecological knowledge regarding the selection and use of different plant species.

Fieldwork has been conducted by project members Tomás Fernández-Iriarte (IPHES-CERCA) and Nina Laming-López (University of the Balearic Islands), with the collaboration of Professor Narmada Hansani and students from the University of Peradeniya. The data collected will continue to be analysed during future research stays of Sri Lankan researchers in European institutions.

During the visit, a photographic exhibition based on previous ethnographic research conducted in Dambana was also donated to the community.

University training and international cooperation

At the same time, project members carried out training activities with faculty and students from the Departments of Archaeology and Education at the University of Peradeniya.

The stay was completed with the visit of Professors Bruno Gómez de Soler and Ethel Allué, researchers at IPHES-CERCA and lecturers at Rovira i Virgili University, who, within the framework of the ERASMUS KA171 programme of Rovira i Virgili University, delivered teaching activities and participated in practical training sessions in Dambana.

An international project funded by the European Union

The ARCHBOTANKA project, entitled “From the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean through ethnoarchaeology of fuel and archaeobotany” (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-Staff Exchanges, GA 101130984), has received funding from the European Union to study fuel management in the past—particularly in tropical contexts—while also facilitating the exchange of knowledge and research and technical staff among participating institutions.

The ARCHBOTANKA project involves around twenty participants (PhD students, postdoctoral and senior researchers, technicians, and members of non-academic organisations) from the University of the Balearic Islands (Palma), the Joint Research Unit Archéozoologie et Archéobotanique - Sociétés, Pratiques et Environnements (UMR 7209) of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France), the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), MUCBO (Sóller Botanical Garden Foundation–Balearic Museum of Natural Sciences, Sóller), and the cooperative Els Corremarges (La Sala de Comalats, Tarragona).