IPHES-CERCA Participates in the 23rd Racó dels Artesans – Plant Fibre Fair
Workshops and Outreach Activities to Discover the Importance of Plant Fibres in Prehistory
On 1 and 2 August, IPHES-CERCA will take part in the 23rd Racó dels Artesans – Plant Fibre Fair, held in Mas de Barberans (Montsià), with a range of activities designed to bring research on the use of plant fibres in prehistory closer to the public.
Discovering an Almost Invisible Heritage
Among the scheduled activities, the workshop “Revealing the Invisible: The Archaeology of Plant Fibres” stands out. The session invites visitors to discover why plant fibres, despite being among the most widely used materials throughout human history, are rarely preserved at archaeological sites. Through experimental archaeology and modern research methodologies, attendees will learn how archaeologists reconstruct the vital role these materials played in the daily lives of prehistoric societies.
The outreach activities will be led by Andrea Alías, Socialisation Officer at IPHES-CERCA, alongside Valentina Lubrano, Céline Kerfant, and Núria Ibáñez. Ibáñez will host both the workshop “Revealing the Invisible: The Archaeology of Plant Fibres”—where the public can explore how researchers reconstruct the role of these materials in prehistoric daily life—and the family workshop “Making a Plant Top” (Fem una torneta vegetal). Designed for children, this hands-on workshop lets participants experiment with traditional techniques for making plant-based objects inspired by prehistoric knowledge, and it will take place on both Saturday and Sunday.
The fair will also host the presentation of the game Archbotanka Keliya. Developed as part of the ARCHBOTANKA project (European MSCA Staff Exchanges program – GA 101130984), the game invites players to explore ancient uses of plant fibres and their significance in prehistoric societies across the Mediterranean and southern islands such as Mallorca and Sri Lanka. Inspired by the ancient Sri Lankan game Pancha Keliya, it combines trivia and sensory activities to connect nature, culture, and the past.
Scientific Outreach and Heritage
IPHES-CERCA’s participation will conclude on Sunday at 6:30 PM with the lecture “From Fibres to Plant Objects: A Methodological Approach to Their Archaeological Study”, delivered by archaeologist and IPHES-CERCA specialist Susagna Romero-Brugués. She will explain the methodologies used to identify, study, and interpret objects made from plant fibres that survive in the archaeological record. Prior registration is required to attend this session.
Throughout the weekend, IPHES-CERCA specialist Núria Ibáñez will also be present at the Mas de Barberans Town Hall booth to sign copies of her book Històries a cabassos («Stories by the Basketful»), a popular science work that highlights the cultural and historical heritage associated with plant fibres and handcrafted objects.
Coinciding with the 23rd Plant Fibre Fair, the magazine Surtdecasa has published a feature article exploring the role of basketry and plant fibres in prehistory, based on interviews with research and technical staff from IPHES-CERCA. The article offers an accessible overview of this almost invisible heritage.