“Unearthing the past and building the future: Archaeological heritage as a social backbone of the Ríonansa region”

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

The general objective of the project is to transfer to society the scientific knowledge acquired by the research team integrated in the “Before Art” research project on the cavities with Palaeolithic art of Chufín and Micolón. We want to contribute to achieving a more heritage-resilient society, for the sake of the present and future preservation of this fragile and unique cultural asset. 

Dissemination will be carried out with the population as a whole in mind. Thus, we will transmit scientific knowledge to different audiences according to criteria such as cultural level (initiated or novice), age (children and the elderly), functional diversity (mental or physical) and gender. In this way, we will bring the prehistoric artistic heritage closer to the population of Rionansa and the surrounding area.

The different actions included in this project are detailed below:

1. Actions aimed at the initiated public.

• Scientific conference: The director of the project will give a talk on the latest discoveries in the Chufín and Micolón caves within the framework of the Palaeolithic Art of the Cantabrian Sea. The venue will be the Rubín de Celis Tower (Obeso, Rionansa).
• Specialised visit to the caves: Members of the research team will make a specialised visit to Chufín. This activity will be carried out in 4 groups of 4 people plus a technician, respecting all the hygienic-sanitary measures in force at the time of the activity. Thus, it will be an exclusive visit for a maximum of 16 visitors, prior free registration by email and in order of priority.
• Publication of an Open Access article: In accordance with the requirements of the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon Europe), we will publish an Open Access scientific article on the project in a first level specialised journal, in order to achieve maximum dissemination among the specialised community and the interested public.

2. Actions aimed at the general public.

• Informative conference: The director of the project will give an informative talk on the Palaeolithic Art of the Cantabrian Sea, with emphasis on the caves of the Nansa River. The venue will be the Rubín de Celis Tower (Obeso, Rionansa).

• Open day: As part of the research project, an archaeological excavation is scheduled for September 2021 at the entrance to the Chufín cave. We will hold an “open doors” day so that anyone interested can visit us and get to know the excavation first hand. These visits will be organised with prior registration via email with a maximum of 4 people at a time.

• Gender video-conference: The Palaeolithic female representations, of which Chufín and Micolón contain outstanding examples, contain essential data for building a more resilient and egalitarian society in terms of gender. A researcher of this project will develop a video-conference of free access through Youtube live. This activity will be especially disseminated to schools and institutes throughout the community.

3. Specific actions.

• Children: Today’s children will be the ones who preserve, study, research and enjoy our heritage in the future. It is our job as scientists to teach them about their heritage and make them aware of its value. To this end, we have programmed workshops on Palaeolithic painting, excavation and cave lighting. This activity will take place in the Rubín de Celis Tower (Obeso, Rionansa) and children between 5-12 years old will participate in two sessions. The number of participants will be limited to 15 in order to ensure an adequate follow-up of the activity. This activity will be coordinated by 3 members of the project. There will also be a drawing competition in which the winner will receive a gift from the research team. Prior registration is required.
• Elderly people: People over 60 years old are the forgotten ones in the dissemination activities. We will give a brief introductory talk on Palaeolithic Art and the caves of the Nansa river basin, as well as a Palaeolithic painting workshop coordinated by 3 members of the project. The number of participants will be limited to 30 in two sessions, in order to ensure an adequate follow-up of the activity. The “star” activity will be the I Contest of ancient photographs of the caves. These photographs will allow us to know the recent evolution of the caves. Thus, this activity will offer a bi-directional transfer of knowledge between researchers and citizens, involving them in the research and dissemination of their own heritage.
• People with functional diversity: As it could not be otherwise, we have programmed activities for people with mild to moderate functional diversity in the Rubín de Celis Tower (Obeso, Rionansa). With this group we will give a brief introductory talk on Palaeolithic Art, as well as a workshop on Palaeolithic painting and archaeological excavation. The number of participants will be limited to 10 in order to be able to monitor each participant properly. This workshop will be coordinated by 3 members of the project, and it will be necessary for each participant to come with a family member or guardian. There will also be a prehistoric drawing competition during the activity. The winner will receive a gift from the research team. This activity will be specially promoted by the Cantabrian Federation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities, and other similar entities.

4. Digital dissemination:

Ø Social Networks: If a project is not on social networks, it does not exist. We will create profiles in the main networks linked to the general public (Twitter, Instagram and Twitter), and in academic networks (Academia.edu and ResearchGate). We will publish regular informative posts commenting on the progress of the project. We will also encourage participation by creating prize draws and competitions.

Ø Media: We will issue press releases on the programmed actions, to the competent agencies and institutions for their dissemination through the press, radio and TV. The communication sections of the City Council of Ríonansa and the IIIPC will make their networks available to achieve greater dissemination.

Ø Virtual visit to the caves: One of the main products generated by our research work in the Micolón and Chufín caves is the 3D restitution of the caves. This product allows, by means of virtual reality, the immersion and visit to the caves without the need to physically penetrate, so that in addition to being a product that enhances the conservation of the caves, it favours the dissemination of the same to people with functional diversity and/or reduced mobility. This activity will be carried out in person, where a project technician will virtually guide the participants using augmented reality glasses. The number of participants will be limited to 20, with prior registration, in order to carry out an adequate follow-up of each participant, following the hygienic-sanitary measures.

Ø Micro-documentary: We will produce a micro-documentary both on the research and on the dissemination and popularisation of the project. It will be presented in the City Council of Ríonansa in a public event and all the participating institutions will be invited.