For school and university groups, there are educational workshops that explain the various aspects of daily life amongst prehistoric peoples, such as hunting, fire and art. During the workshops, the tools used in each of these areas will be displayed, with a demonstration of their effectiveness, and pupils will be actively involved in the workshop itself. These are:
1. “The Hunters of the Painted Caves“. This session will explore hunting, fishing and gathering as the basis of the Upper Palaeolithic man’s diet. Participants will learn how to make a prehistoric spear and a spear-thrower, and test their effectiveness by firing several shots.
2. “The Dawn of Fire“. Life in prehistoric times before and after the discovery of fire marked a significant change in ways of life. In this workshop, participants will explore not only the benefits of fire but also its drawbacks. They will light a fire by rubbing two sticks together and by striking two stones against each other.
3. “Tools: Modern vs Prehistoric“. We will begin by comparing different Palaeolithic tools with modern ones. We will then analyse each tool and how it has changed in terms of shape and, in particular, the material from which it is made. We will test the effectiveness of each Palaeolithic tool by using it, to understand that it is no different from modern tools and that, in some cases, only the raw material used has changed. Finally, we will use some of the Palaeolithic tools to make a steatite pendant.
4. “A Story from the Palaeolithic“. We need lots of things to be prehistoric (clothes, food, knives, lighters, paints, etc.), but without shops or money, how will we get them?
5. “Let’s paint our cave“.We’re going to paint our cave. To do this, we’ll need to find pigments of different colours and work out how to prepare them for their various uses. Once we’ve found some ochre and manganese stones, we’ll paint directly with them. Then we’ll crush some of them and mix the pigment with water to make liquid paint. We’ll paint with our hands or using small brushes, and we’ll demonstrate how people used to paint with an airbrush.
6. “Something to Tie With“. Through a brief introduction, we’ll discuss the importance of rope for survival. We’ll explore its various uses throughout prehistory. We’ll look at the different possibilities and materials needed to make threads and ropes, which we’ll examine and handle. Finally, we’ll learn how to make two-strand rope from plant fibres?
The workshops last approximately 50 minutes and are held in groups of at least 30 people. They take place at the Centro de Arte Rupestre.
Price: €6,00 per student.
Schools in Cantabria: €4.50 per student.
Website: www.culturadecantabria.com
Email: reservascuevas@culturadecantabria.es
Telephone: (+34) 942 59 84 25.
From 5 to 29 August, enjoy a family day out, feeling like the inhabitants who occupied and decorated the caves of Monte Castillo (Puente Viesgo) during prehistoric times.
This summer, José Aurelio García Munúa is organising activities for all ages related to the daily life of prehistoric populations.
‘Munúa’, as he is affectionately known by everyone, has spent more than twenty years researching ways of life through the tools obtained in archaeological excavations in Cantabria, using experimentation to understand the purpose, effectiveness and problems during their use. As well as the recognition of the natural environment in which they lived, through the collection of the same materials that they frequently used. Such as pyrite and flint for the production of fire, ochre for the interior decoration of caves and antler, wood or sinew, among others, for the creation and use of hunting tools.
– « Fire ».
Tuesday to Friday: 11.00 am.
Do you know what life was like before man knew about fire? What benefits and disadvantages did the knowledge of fire bring? We invite you to go back in time through the stories that Munúa will tell you before and after the discovery of fire. Will you be able to do it by friction of two sticks or percussion of stones, or that day you will have to eat raw meat and face a long and cold glacial night, bearing the complaints of the rest of your clan.
– « The Hunters of the Painted Caves’ ».
Tuesday to Friday: 12.15 pm.
Surely you know that prehistoric man hunted with spears, but did you know that they used propellers to propel them? In this activity we will show you how to make a propeller and a spear, you will also use it and test its efficiency. Will you be able to hunt the deer and supply the clan that accompanies you with meat? Which of you will hunt it?
The activities will take place at the Cave Art Centre of Cantabria (in Puente Viesgo) and will last approximately 50 minutes, in groups of 8 people, individually, or up to 25 people maximum, depending on single-family groups.
Price per person and activity: 6,00 €
