The SymArtTech project is funded by the spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities as part of the 2024 Knowledge Generation Projects call for proposals.
The SymArtTech project seeks to understand the social context behind artistic production in Upper Palaeolithic caves. Led by Diego Garate (University of Cantabria), the interdisciplinary team will study World Heritage caves, combining archaeology, geology, computational science and virtual reality.
The research aims to go beyond the aesthetic interpretation of cave art: it seeks to reconstruct the entire ‘operational chain’ that led to its creation—from the obtaining of pigments and tools to the lighting and physical effort required to access the decorated panels. To this end, cutting-edge technologies such as 3D scanning, predictive modelling, non-invasive chemical analysis and immersive virtual reality environments will be used to recreate the original conditions of the caves.
(D. Garate & I. Intxaurbe)
The objective is twofold: to generate new scientific knowledge about the social and economic organisation of Palaeolithic groups and to bring this heritage closer to the general public through digital experiences, workshops, podcasts and documentaries. Thus, SymArtTech will not only help to better understand how art was made more than 15,000 years ago, but also to strengthen the connection between science, culture and today’s society.